Mona Lee Shirley
December 3, 1928 - September 6, 2006
Obituary
Mona Lee Shirley, age 77, of Federal Way passed away September 6, 2006. She was born December 3, 1928 in Dodson, Montana to Alice Marguerite Ness and Isaac Franklin Forgey. At age 14 Mona moved with her family to Seattle and resided in King County for over 60 years. Mona was a caller and cashier for bingo games in the area for many years, well known for her distinctive voice and dynamic personality. She enjoyed dancing, card games, puzzles, gardening and genealogy. Her family name was traced to William Forgey of Allegheny, Pennsylvania who came from Ireland around 1795. Mona was preceded in death by her parents Alice & Ike, sister Keryl, brothers David, Jim and Jack, husbands Rex Manchester and Clark Shirley, nephew Nathan Price, niece Virginia Forgey Robbins, and great grandson Thomas Evan Walters III. She is survived by sons Gary Manchester, Steven Stream Carol Ann, Sam Shirley Kim and stepson Dean Shirley Kobernik Kris; daughter Gaile Stream Gifford Gavin and stepdaughter Susan Shirley Bice; former husband Don Stream; sister Pat Tyler and brothers Glen, George, Tom and Don Forgey; numerous nephews and nieces; 21 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. The memorial service will be at noon on Saturday, September 9, 2006 at the Twin Lakes Church Building at 31816 47th Ave. SW in Federal Way. Burial will be at Washington Memorial Park in SeaTac. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to Franciscan Hospice of Tacoma, Washington.
You said you were leaving
And led the way
A torch in hand
You said follow
You said tell me
And I’ll tell you
What I think about this
Before I go.
We talked
We tried to
About stupid details
Hesitating, questioning,
And you said not to cry.
You told me good bye
One official time
Before I thought the time was up
But you felt the curtains closing
And you wanted to be there
To hear what I had to say through
Burning eyes and a closing throat
One last time.
I said thank you for always believing in me
It took ten minutes
And I choked.
It meant something different
Because I had given the whole world
Lots of reasons
Not to.
Sometimes I made fun of you
And it made you laugh
Since your whole day had been
A struggle
And a crisis
And everyone in panic
About when you took your medicine and
If you had eaten that day
And did you want some throat coat tea?
I tried to treat you normal again
Even though your body was against you
And every convenience could not make
Your life convenient.
I keep your departure in a separate folder
In my memory.
To me it is a detail.
The rest of my memories
Are about your stay.
What a wonderful blessing it is to live a long life and then to have to opportunity to go to another, to be free of the troubles and pain of this life. I am the Second son, 7 child of Steve and CarolAnn Stream. I loved all of the candy Grandma Mona would give us whenever we were over. And it did not even have to be Halloween. Grandma Mona we love you…
I am the sixth son of Steve and CarolAnn Stream.
I think it was said correctly when it was mentioned that Grandma Mona had a dynamic character.
I remember when she lived here in Huntington for a while. She liked coming to my baseball games, basketball games,…etc. She would always tell me how good we played, but if we lost she always said that the other team was cheating, or had payed the oficials, or something happened that was unfair to make us lose. It always brought a little smile to my face.
I am thankful that Grandma was able to live in Huntington for a little so I could get to know her a little more. She was a great, strong lady. She loved us, and it was known.
Thanks Grandma,
Stevie
I am the second daughter of Steve and CarolAnn Stream. I lived in the Arlington, WA. for a few months, several years ago. During that time I often drove to Grandma’s house for the weekend. She was always up for shopping and loved to sit and visit. She was genuinely interested in what was going on in my life. I looked forward to those trips and hated when Sunday evening came.
When I think of Grandma I think of jigsaw puzzles, word puzzles, cards, and her love for Native American art. I enjoyed our phone conversations during the last few weeks of her life, in which she shared genealogy stories with great enthusiasm. We will miss our Grandma. I too look forward to seeing her again.
I am the oldest daughter of Steve and CarolAnn Stream. Grandma made me smile. She was so witty and quick with words. During a phone visit during her last few weeks, I told her that she sounded better than the day before. She said she felt exhausted because “this dyin’ stuff was hard work”. She was always up for a card game or puzzle. I remember a Christmas package she sent one year. Inside, among other things, were teddy bear pins for each of my sisters and me with our names on them. I know her spirit lives and that we will all be able to see her again.
I am #4 child of Steve and CarolAnn Stream. I will always be grateful for the friendship that my grandma and I had. We became close the short time she lived in Utah. I will miss her appreciation for the very simple things in life and her firm words of encouragment. We will all miss her. I know that we will be able see her again.
I am one of Steve Stream’s daughters. I will remember the times that my sister and I would go to her house to “Clean” or that was what we were supposed to be doing. We would Be over there for hours just visiting with her and maybe do a job or too. I too am looking forward to seeing her again.
I am one of the 21 grandchildren. I am Steve Streams daughter. My grandma and I used to sit on her porch when she moved to Utah and watch all of the Hummingbirds fly around the feeder that we put out every week. My grandma never ceased to help me and my family out in our time of needs. She loved us very much and we all loved her and will miss her greatly. We look forward to seeing her in the next life happy and as healthy as ever!!!
I am Mona’s oldest grandson. My fondest memories of my grandma include the trip I took to visit her when I was around 10 years old and when she visited the family the week I graduated high school. The thing that I most remember about my grandma was that she was fun and easy-going. She also really enjoyed putting puzzles together, playing cards, and collecting coins. You will be dearly missed by the Manchester Family Bryan, Amy, and Connor.
I already miss her so much. We were very good friends. Mona, Geri and I brought the New Year in together each year we lived here in this building. She had the most brilliant smile that touched your very soul. I am fortunate to have been counted as her friend and I will cherish the memories of her the rest of my life. God bless her family – she spoke of you all a lot,and was very proud of all of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. I know, because I have seen most of the pictures! May each of you be comforted by knowing she is happy and at peace in the loving arms of God. Lorees
Just want to share part of a tribute that I gave for mom at the memorial service. She was a great mom. I am here today because of her. At the onset of her labor with my premature birth, her strong voice and determined personality prevented doctors from terminating the pregnancy. They could not find my heartbeat and she insisted on waiting for her own doctor to arrive from out of town. And today I am here to tell that story. Mom taught us a lot of things. Among them were these: Do your best! Do what is right. Pay cash for your purchases! Save some money for a nest egg. Don’t be sad at this time. She was ready to go, it was her turn, and she wanted very much to go home. Have a party! And remember, she is only a thought away.
Mona was a fun lady
I remember going to play Bingo with Mona and Gaile one time and I won a game and they told me any more wins I had to share with them. It was beginners luck.
I remember one night we were out TPing coaches houses and we kept getting caught so we went back to Clark and Mona’s house with all this tp so we teepeed their house.
The next morning the girl across the house came over and said she would clean it up because she was sure the culprits had meant to do her house and accidently did the wrong house. Steve told her that would be a good idea. Mona told the girl that she was sure she knew who did the deed.
Steve and his friends would play Pinocle at Clark and Mona’s and it became a central place for kids to get together and meet before going off on dates or bowling or softball games. I remember one time she was smoking and got up from the table and left her cigarette and we got Sam to dunk it in water…..she wouldn’t yell at her baby, Sam but the rest of us would have gotton yelled at….and
probably did. She was VERY unique and I tell my girls about her when I have flashes of memories about her.
I’m really sorry she’s gone and would have liked to see her again.
Jyl
When I began searching for my birth family it was Mona whom I first found. We reconnected in a wonderful way. I visited with her in Federal Way and enjoyed every minute. I will miss her. But just like you’d expect from Mona, she has brought me back to my roots. I love this family and hope to become more a part of it in the coming years.
Love you Mona.
I am sorry to hear of Aunt Mona, I enjoyed seeing her and Gayle in May, It had been a long time. She had not changed.The same caring person i remember long ago. take care,and may all the memories be with all of us.
As Gaile’s daughter, Grandma Mona has always been a strong presence in my life, but especially over the last few months. She loved and cared so deeply. She was always welcoming, always interested in the things I had to say. She was like my personal cheerleader. I admired her strength, courage, sense of humor & ability to connect with people. She has made a huge impression in my life and will be missed terribly. My sympathies to those who also feel this loss.
Love,
Jesskins
My condolences on the loss of your loved one. My thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of grief.
Always tried to visit with Aunt Mona whenever we were in the Seattle area. Was really glad to see her last May while there for my sisters memorial.
She will be missed by many, us in particular.
Love Ken & Marcia Forgey