Shirley Elizabeth Aldrich

06/11/1937 — 08/10/2005

From Richland, WA, US | Born in Newport News, Virginia

Shirley Elizabeth Aldrich

Shirley Elizabeth Aldrich, 68, of Richland was born in Newport News, Virginia on June 11, 1937. She went home to the Lord on August 10, 2005, at the Tri-Cities Hospice, following a 7-year battle with ovarian cancer. Shirley grew up in Virginia and graduated from Newport News High School in 1955. She met and married Les Aldrich in 1956. Through the years, they lived in Virginia, Michigan, Maryland, North Carolina, Idaho, and finally settled down in Richland in 1979. Shirley had two great loves in her life, her family and her Lord, Jesus Christ. She was a homemaker and was involved in her family member’s lives and in a variety of activities. She was a Cub Scout Den Mother, a Brownie Leader, completed Boy Scout Wood Badge training and served as a staff member on a Wood Badge Course. Her early church involvement centered on her children’s church activities and her outstanding soprano/alto voice. She sang in many church choirs, Sweet Adelines, and Oratorio Chorus, especially during her time at Central United Protestant Church in Richland. She was a long-time member of the Gospel Lights, a bluegrass gospel group in the Tri-Cities. She was involved in Women’s Aglow, and brought smiles during her eight years of Christian Clown Ministry. She was active in the local Walk to Emmaus community, and helped to start new communities in Idaho and Utah. She was also active for several years in the Chrysalis program for teens and young adults. She was a Lay Pastor while at Faith Assembly Christian Center. Her last ten years were spent at Bethel Church where she sang with a variety of groups, including the Joy in the Morning Worship Team. She and her husband were leaders of a Care Group for seven years and served last year as Care Group Coaches. She continued her church activities throughout her chemotherapy treatments, and inspired many people with her spirit and energy. Her smile and the light in her eyes warmed everyone she came in contact with. Her smile and servant heart will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved her. She was preceded in death by her parents, Norman and Margaret Melton; her in-laws Lamar and Thora Aldrich; and her sister-in-law, Mary Lou Aldrich Harn. Shirley is survived by her husband of 48+ years, Lester K. Aldrich II; her children, Robert Charles Aldrich of Tulsa, OK., Ann Lambel Martin of Richland, Diane Schweikert Marty of Clarkston, and Linda Urias of Phoenix, AZ; thirteen grandchildren, Lester III and Robert II of Tulsa; Kyle and Mary of Richland; Bryn Tom Smith of Portland; Kisha of Coulee Dam; Jennifer, and Stephanie of Clarkston; Deidra of Portland and Cynthia, Kelsie, Kailee, and Jaimee of Phoenix, and great-grandchildren Malcolm and Madisyn of Coulee Dam; and Danae of Clarkston; and two brothers, Norman Melton of Newport News, VA and Sidney Melton of Ithaca, NY. A Celebration of Shirley’s life will be held at Bethel Church, at the corner of Keene and Shockley Roads, Richland, WA, on Saturday, August 20, 2005 at 2 p.m. In Lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Tri-Cities Chaplaincy Hospice, 2108 W. Entiat Ave., Kennewick, WA 99336.

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Shirley Elizabeth Aldrich

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  • Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time. May god wrap you in his arms. Shirley was in inspiration to all.

    Mary Coates
    November 4, 2014
    Richland, WA, US
  • Loved and missed. Her faithful, trusting, loving spirit bringing glory to her Lord each day. How she loved you, Les!

    Sue Cantrell
    November 4, 2014
    Richland, WA, US
  • Les, we share in your sorrow, and out hearts and prayers are with you. Shirley was a wonderful lady, and we looked forward to getting together with you each year at the HPS meetings. We had hoped to do so once again this year in Spokane, but the Lord decreed otherwise. We will cherish our many fond memories of Shirley.

    Ron and Susan Kathren
    November 4, 2014
    Richland, WA, US
  • Dear Les and family,

    Shirley was a great blessing to so many people, including me. I will always remember her quick smile and her bright eyes, which I knew were but reflections of the Jesus in her heart. She loved Him and served Him so well. In Christ, Steve

    Steve Hyndman
    November 4, 2014
    Lewiston, ID, US
  • Les and Family,

    Shirley was always a bright personality for me at the Columbia Chapter meetings that she attended. Please accept my condolences.

    Roger Brown

    Roger Brown
    November 4, 2014
    Kennewick, WA, US
  • Ah, Shirley. Such a lovely woman. Though I only knew her just under 18 months, she was such a special friend to me. We first met around the end of February 2004 at Bethel’s choir practice for the song we sang Easter Sunday. Since I usually sing with the tenors, I tend to sit at the edge of the tenor section, next to the altos, so as not to look out of place. Les was sitting next to me on the right. Shirley and another lady had moved from the far end of the altos to be next to the tenors, as their second alto part was more similar to the tenors than it was to the altos. Shirley sat down next to me on the left. She was so sweet, and had this infectious smile. I didn’t realize that she and Les were husband and wife, but I noticed that she would look over at him and smile. I remember thinking, “I think she really likes him. They’d be so cute together.” The next Sunday, Doug and I were helping with counting the offerings after church, and here came Les and Shirley to help, too. “Wow,” I thought, “I guess they do know each other,” still not realizing they were a couple. So then we all got to talking and I discovered they had been married forty plus years!

    In our discussion, they told us about the Gospel Lights band, and I told them that I had retired early to go into music ministry, and asked if I could join them sometime. So, the next evening I went to their home to practice with the band, and I’ve been a part of them ever since. What a blessing that has been to me! That night after the practice, Shirley invited me to go to Joy in the Morning with her the next day and help her lead the singing. She said that a couple of the ladies that usually help were not going to be there, so it would be nice if I could help. Well, that sounded like fun to me, and I was enjoying being with Shirley, so I joined in with that group for the rest of Spring. Shirley and I were also in the same small study group, where we became even better acquainted with each other and with other ladies.

    Sometimes Shirley and I would go out for lunch after Joy, and just enjoy each other’s company. She was always so encouraging to me, and we had so much fun talking, laughing, crying, singing, praying…. She used to tell me that I was a “God send,” and I’d tell her, no, she was the God send! Well, I do believe that God put the two of us together for each other for these past 18 months. When I can see God’s hand in my life or the lives of others, it just makes me smile and warms my heart. Yes, Shirley was that special friend that God had for me for a short, yet very meaningful, season; and I was that special friend for her through that time, as well. Oh, how much I loved her, and I’ll miss her in this lifetime, but I know we’ll be together again soon for all of eternity. “Save me a seat at the table, Shirley.”

    With love, from your special friend and sister in Christ,

    Joyce Marsh

    Doug & Joyce Marsh
    November 4, 2014
    Richland, WA, US
  • Your loss is ours.. We will cherish forever the time we had as a part of Gospel Lights. To God be the Glory forever.

    Steve & Margie Westover
    November 4, 2014
    Vancouver, WA, US
  • Dear Les and Family, I am very sorry for your loss. Shirley showed what courage and faith in our Lord can look like. She was always the one with the smile on her face, not withstanding the pain she was going thru. I admired her for that and the way she seemed to keep everything and everyone together, while fighting her health problems. She will be missed by many!

    In our Lords Name

    Brother in Christ-Dan

    Dan Petruso
    November 4, 2014
    Spokane, WA, US
  • Les & Family,

    We came to know Shirley when her and Les joined our Care group from church. She always had an infectious smile, a positive attitude, and a warm heart for others. She is now with her heavenly father whom she loved and faithfully served while here on earth. She will be missed.

    Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you grieve the loss of your loved one.

    Tom & Nancy McClelland
    November 4, 2014
    Richland, WA, US
  • Les:

    My prayers are with you as you go through this time of loss. Remember that Shirley has gone ‘home’ with the Lord, and is completely healed. Sorry that I could not attend the service.

    In His Service

    David Wood, TCS Chaplain

    temporarily in Houston, TX

    David C. Wood, Tri-Cities South Chaplain
    November 4, 2014
    Richland, WA, US
  • To the family of Shirley Aldrich,

    We were saddened to learn of Shirley’s passing and share with you the grief of this moment. We pray your sorrow will be tempered by your faith, and knowledge that she is no longer in pain, and is in the presence of our Lord Jesus, whom she truly loved.

    We feel blessed to have known her these past years. Shirley will be missed by all who knew her, and I’m certain that number is far greater than we can imagine. She was truly an inspiration to us all.

    In Shirley’s last conversation with Vera, Shirley’s main concern was for Les and her Family. That is so much like Shirley, to put everyone else’s welfare ahead of her own. We will pray as Shirley did, that her Family will bear up in this time of sorrow, and find happiness in the future, and love the Lord as she did.

    May God bless you, and help you through this time,

    Dan and Vera Gray

    Dan & Vera Gray
    November 4, 2014
    US
  • I’m Ann Todd’s daughter and while I didn’t know Shirley well, I was used to seeing her in her front yard snd will miss seeing her. My sympathies to her family, you are in my thoughts.

    Deanna Enzweiler
    November 4, 2014
    Richland, WA, US
  • Les and family:

    My short time in knowing Shirley was as a Hospice volunteer, and her spirit made me appreciate life. Her enthusiasm for people and life made her so easy to talk with. I’m sure she will be very much missed.

    Rose Gray

    Rose Gray
    November 4, 2014
    Richland, WA, US
  • I loved Shirley although didn’t see her much. I still have the stuffed cat she brought me from a trip for caring for her dog. I’ll cherish it. She was my very dear neighbor.

    Ann Todd
    November 4, 2014
    Richland, WA, US
  • Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time. May god wrap you in his arms. Shirley was in inspiration to all.

    Mary Coates
    November 4, 2014
    Richland, WA, US
  • Loved and missed. Her faithful, trusting, loving spirit bringing glory to her Lord each day. How she loved you, Les!

    Sue Cantrell
    November 4, 2014
    Richland, WA, US
  • Les, we share in your sorrow, and out hearts and prayers are with you. Shirley was a wonderful lady, and we looked forward to getting together with you each year at the HPS meetings. We had hoped to do so once again this year in Spokane, but the Lord decreed otherwise. We will cherish our many fond memories of Shirley.

    Ron and Susan Kathren
    November 4, 2014
    Richland, WA, US
  • Dear Les and family,

    Shirley was a great blessing to so many people, including me. I will always remember her quick smile and her bright eyes, which I knew were but reflections of the Jesus in her heart. She loved Him and served Him so well. In Christ, Steve

    Steve Hyndman
    November 4, 2014
    Lewiston, ID, US
  • Les and Family,

    Shirley was always a bright personality for me at the Columbia Chapter meetings that she attended. Please accept my condolences.

    Roger Brown

    Roger Brown
    November 4, 2014
    Kennewick, WA, US
  • Ah, Shirley. Such a lovely woman. Though I only knew her just under 18 months, she was such a special friend to me. We first met around the end of February 2004 at Bethel’s choir practice for the song we sang Easter Sunday. Since I usually sing with the tenors, I tend to sit at the edge of the tenor section, next to the altos, so as not to look out of place. Les was sitting next to me on the right. Shirley and another lady had moved from the far end of the altos to be next to the tenors, as their second alto part was more similar to the tenors than it was to the altos. Shirley sat down next to me on the left. She was so sweet, and had this infectious smile. I didn’t realize that she and Les were husband and wife, but I noticed that she would look over at him and smile. I remember thinking, “I think she really likes him. They’d be so cute together.” The next Sunday, Doug and I were helping with counting the offerings after church, and here came Les and Shirley to help, too. “Wow,” I thought, “I guess they do know each other,” still not realizing they were a couple. So then we all got to talking and I discovered they had been married forty plus years!

    In our discussion, they told us about the Gospel Lights band, and I told them that I had retired early to go into music ministry, and asked if I could join them sometime. So, the next evening I went to their home to practice with the band, and I’ve been a part of them ever since. What a blessing that has been to me! That night after the practice, Shirley invited me to go to Joy in the Morning with her the next day and help her lead the singing. She said that a couple of the ladies that usually help were not going to be there, so it would be nice if I could help. Well, that sounded like fun to me, and I was enjoying being with Shirley, so I joined in with that group for the rest of Spring. Shirley and I were also in the same small study group, where we became even better acquainted with each other and with other ladies.

    Sometimes Shirley and I would go out for lunch after Joy, and just enjoy each other’s company. She was always so encouraging to me, and we had so much fun talking, laughing, crying, singing, praying…. She used to tell me that I was a “God send,” and I’d tell her, no, she was the God send! Well, I do believe that God put the two of us together for each other for these past 18 months. When I can see God’s hand in my life or the lives of others, it just makes me smile and warms my heart. Yes, Shirley was that special friend that God had for me for a short, yet very meaningful, season; and I was that special friend for her through that time, as well. Oh, how much I loved her, and I’ll miss her in this lifetime, but I know we’ll be together again soon for all of eternity. “Save me a seat at the table, Shirley.”

    With love, from your special friend and sister in Christ,

    Joyce Marsh

    Doug & Joyce Marsh
    November 4, 2014
    Richland, WA, US
  • Your loss is ours.. We will cherish forever the time we had as a part of Gospel Lights. To God be the Glory forever.

    Steve & Margie Westover
    November 4, 2014
    Vancouver, WA, US
  • Dear Les and Family, I am very sorry for your loss. Shirley showed what courage and faith in our Lord can look like. She was always the one with the smile on her face, not withstanding the pain she was going thru. I admired her for that and the way she seemed to keep everything and everyone together, while fighting her health problems. She will be missed by many!

    In our Lords Name

    Brother in Christ-Dan

    Dan Petruso
    November 4, 2014
    Spokane, WA, US
  • Les & Family,

    We came to know Shirley when her and Les joined our Care group from church. She always had an infectious smile, a positive attitude, and a warm heart for others. She is now with her heavenly father whom she loved and faithfully served while here on earth. She will be missed.

    Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you grieve the loss of your loved one.

    Tom & Nancy McClelland
    November 4, 2014
    Richland, WA, US
  • Les:

    My prayers are with you as you go through this time of loss. Remember that Shirley has gone ‘home’ with the Lord, and is completely healed. Sorry that I could not attend the service.

    In His Service

    David Wood, TCS Chaplain

    temporarily in Houston, TX

    David C. Wood, Tri-Cities South Chaplain
    November 4, 2014
    Richland, WA, US
  • To the family of Shirley Aldrich,

    We were saddened to learn of Shirley’s passing and share with you the grief of this moment. We pray your sorrow will be tempered by your faith, and knowledge that she is no longer in pain, and is in the presence of our Lord Jesus, whom she truly loved.

    We feel blessed to have known her these past years. Shirley will be missed by all who knew her, and I’m certain that number is far greater than we can imagine. She was truly an inspiration to us all.

    In Shirley’s last conversation with Vera, Shirley’s main concern was for Les and her Family. That is so much like Shirley, to put everyone else’s welfare ahead of her own. We will pray as Shirley did, that her Family will bear up in this time of sorrow, and find happiness in the future, and love the Lord as she did.

    May God bless you, and help you through this time,

    Dan and Vera Gray

    Dan & Vera Gray
    November 4, 2014
    US
  • I’m Ann Todd’s daughter and while I didn’t know Shirley well, I was used to seeing her in her front yard snd will miss seeing her. My sympathies to her family, you are in my thoughts.

    Deanna Enzweiler
    November 4, 2014
    Richland, WA, US
  • Les and family:

    My short time in knowing Shirley was as a Hospice volunteer, and her spirit made me appreciate life. Her enthusiasm for people and life made her so easy to talk with. I’m sure she will be very much missed.

    Rose Gray

    Rose Gray
    November 4, 2014
    Richland, WA, US
  • I loved Shirley although didn’t see her much. I still have the stuffed cat she brought me from a trip for caring for her dog. I’ll cherish it. She was my very dear neighbor.

    Ann Todd
    November 4, 2014
    Richland, WA, US
  • Les and Family,

    You folks are in my thoughts and Prayers. Shirley was a wonderful person.

    God Bless You All

    Vickie Llewellyn
    November 4, 2014
    Richland, WA, US
  • Hey Rob, sorry to hear of the loss of your mother. Hope all is well with you and yours.

    gilly

    Gil Gilstrap
    November 4, 2014
    Elma, WA, US
  • Les,

    Just looking at Shirley’s picture and reading her memorial told me what a wonderful person she must have been. I am sure that there are many people all over the country who are sad, but smiling because of how God used Shirley to bless them over the years. Thanks for letting me know. I will keep you in my prayers.

    Love,

    Steve

    Steve Demaree
    November 4, 2014
    Lexington, KY, US
  • Les and family…what a beautiful life Shirley lived. We were so blessed to be able to get to know her and love her. She was a genuine lover of Jesus, and shared that love in her words and actions. We miss her, Darlene and Dave

    Darlene Merrill
    November 4, 2014
    Richland, WA, US
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