Shirley Andrews, 82

Shirley Ann Andrews, nee Taylor, was born in Bakersfield, Calif., on Sept. 10, 1941, to Fred Riley and Alice Taylor. She joined siblings Dora, Russ and Ray, and her younger brother, Chuck, arrived soon after.

While attending Mt. Diablo High School in Concord, Calif., Shirley met the love of her life, Don Andrews, through mutual friends from church and they were married April 4, 1959. As an enterprising young mother of three, son Mike and daughters Donna and Debbie, Shirley sold Home Interiors décor and operated an in-home daycare before transitioning to bookkeeper for the wholesale plumbing supply business managed by Don in Sonora, Calif. In 1976, they relocated their family to Coeur d Alene, Idaho, to open their own plumbing and waterworks wholesale business, Plumb-Co Supply, where she was the bookkeeper and credit manager.

After selling Plumb-Co Supply to their son and daughter-in-law, Mike and Meg, Shirley again ran a home daycare for many years, staying in contact with many families throughout her life. 

Shirley was a gifted artist in paint and ceramic mediums whose hobbies included crafting doll house miniatures and collecting antique dishware. In the early 2000s, a growing interest in genealogy led her to become a proficient historical researcher and eventually relocated to Southwestern Missouri to more thoroughly explore her family roots.

Shirley was a Christian who accepted Jesus Christ at an early age and whose strong faith carried her throughout her life and especially sustained her through her brain cancer journey. On Jan. 10, 2024 we bid a sad goodbye to Shirley but take comfort in knowing we will one day see her again.

Shirley leaves behind her loving husband, Don, son Mike (Meg), daughter Donna Carrico (Paul)  and daughter Debbie Petzak (Ronnie), as well as numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

We want to extend our thanks and gratitude to Compassus Hospice, especially Emily, Jennifer, Jeff and Jamie, for the wonderful care and guidance they gave Shirley during her last month.

Arrangements are under the direction of Cantlon-Otterness & Viets Funeral Home, Buffalo, Mo.