Shirley Anne Hartley
June 20, 1938 - December 4, 2023
Obituary
Shirley Anne Hartley, age 85, passed on to heavenly eternity on December 4, 2023 in SeaTac, Washington. A loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt and dear friend to all. Shirley will be remembered for her indomitable and determined spirit, beautiful joy, and fervent faith. She served the Lord with her whole heart, and as a fully involved, capable and effective leader, she was an inspiration as well as a force to be reckoned with, by all who were privileged to know her.
Shirley, the oldest of five children was born on June 20, 1938, in Seattle, Washington to Bernice and Henry Neilsen. She graduated from Cleveland High School in 1956 and worked as a clerk at Metropolitan Life for a number of years before starting a family at which point she focused on being a mother and homemaker for her 5 children.
On April 5, 1958, Shirley married Don Hartley, her best friend and love of her life after capturing his attention at Ridge Rink in Seattle during a Christian endeavor youth event. She and Don were blessed with 5 children: Steve, Trisha, Jon, Dan, and Tommy.
Shirley loved investing in her family as a mother and volunteering countless hours at PTA meetings, Highline Counsel PTSA, and more fully at Boulevard Park Church. She joined Boulevard Park Presbyterian Church in 1958 and spent the entirety of her life there serving as wedding coordinator, deaconess, assistant secretary, trustee, served on countless committees and anywhere else where she could challenge and advocate for a better church structure and community of believers.
Shirley is survived by her husband, Don Hartley, four of her children, Trisha (Brad) Avery, Jon (Elena Romanova) Hartley, Dan (Janell) Hartley, Tom (Megan) Hartley, her brothers and sisters: Paul (Sharon) Neilsen, Kathy Schaefer, Bob (Linda) Neilsen, Cheryl (Claude) Clark, loving nieces and nephews, incredibly precious grandchildren who all meant the entire world to her, and great grandchildren who always brought her joy and delight as she talked about them.
Mom’s celebration of life and memorial service will be held on Saturday December 16th, from 1:00 PM at Boulevard Park Church, 1822 S. 128th St., Burien WA 98168.
