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Shirley (Farver) Gavin

June 16, 1934 – Dec. 13, 2019

Heaven became a happier place with the arrival of Shirley Gavin on Friday, Dec. 13, 2019.

Shirley was born in Antioch, British Columbia, on June 16, 1934, to Richard and Dorothy (Powell) Ballentine. She was later joined by sisters Michelle and Arla.

Much of Shirley’s younger years were spent on the ice, whether competing in a hockey game or gracefully figure skating. After graduation, Shirley moved to the United States and joined the Ice Follies as a professional figure skater. Eventually, Shirley settled in Coeur d’Alene and brought her love of skating with her. In the early years, the town’s Memorial Field was flooded in the winter months, and she would teach figure skating.

In 1974, with one daughter in college and her other three children in junior, middle and high school, she took a leap of faith and enrolled in the North Idaho College nursing program. Upon graduation, she began what would be a 25-year career in the coronary care unit at Kootenai Memorial Hospital.

While dancing one night at the Eagles Club in late 1980, Shirley met Fred Gavin, whom she married on July 2, 1990. The pair spent the next 27 years on amazing adventures: golfing, snow skiing, enjoying weeks at the hot springs or long walks around the neighborhood.

Shirley was greeted in heaven by her parents; loving husband, Fred; and son-in law Mike Goularte.

She is survived by sisters Michelle and Arla; daughters Dana (Len Lichtenberger) Farver and Melanie Goularte; sons Richard Farver and Jack (Mary) Farver; grandchildren Shellie and Kyle; and great-grandchildren Malachi, Makaiah, Jazlynn, Malyna and Zaden.

We would like to thank the caregivers at Generations Assisted Living for the love and care you gave “Shirley Bird.”

There will be no services. Shirley’s final resting place will be St. Thomas Cemetery in Coeur d’Alene. Please consider donating to On Site for Seniors or the local Humane Society in her honor.