Shirley A. Springer

Shirley Ann Springer, 72, of Kalamazoo, passed away on Tuesday, December 31, 2024 at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo. Shirley was born on All Saints Day, November 1, 1952, in Kalamazoo, the daughter of Donald and Mary Jane (McCrorey) Williams. She attended grade school at St. Mary’s in Kalamazoo and often reminisced about being part of the Pigtails vs. Ponytails baseball games in the park. She spoke of having to walk to school with snow up to her knees and once told a white lie to one of the nuns claiming sudden blindness to get out of reading in class. She was given the great honor of being chosen as Mayflower Queen, climbing a ladder to place a crown of ribbons and flowers on the Virgin Mary’s statue. This led to a lifetime of great devotion to Our Lady and praying the Rosary.

High school was a time of change for Shirley. She attended Kalamazoo Central High School, graduating in 1970. She met her future husband, Dave Springer of Paw Paw, whom she married on July 24, 1971. The two newlyweds enjoyed playing cards for hours, loved to get dressed up to go square dancing and went on many fishing trips. They were blessed by the birth of their daughter, Rachel and together raised her until Dave fell ill. In 1993, Dave passed away and Shirley became a single mom to 10-year-old Rachel. They joined the church choir at St. Mary’s, where Shirley often played the guitar. She and Rachel took trips to Chicago and Sea World. They enjoyed exercising at home to Richard Simmons “Sweatin’ to the Oldies” and Shirley regularly ran up to six miles a day at the Celery Flats in Portage with Rachel joining alongside her on roller skates.

Shirley’s devotion to her Catholic faith carried over to her career. For over 30 years, she worked as a secretary at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Battle Creek. She loved her job at the church and especially loved visiting with the people who came into the office. Her office was impeccable, she was an excellent note taker and wrote with beautiful penmanship. She especially loved the opening of the St. Joseph Gardens and the annual Super Fests. She also sponsored new Catholics as they made their journey into the faith. Shirley made several memorable international trips. Her first was to India and even taught herself the Malayalam language before going. She later made a trip to Israel and walked the streets of the Holy Land. For her last international excursion, she climbed a mountain in Medugorje, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Her favorite family trips were to northern Michigan and she’d sing Sea Shanties or Willie Nelson songs in the car on the way. She loved a good campfire and cowboy coffee. In her spare time, Shirley enjoyed knitting and coloring, watching Gun Smoke and having good conversations with her friends and family. She loved baseball and watching parades, which often brought a tear to her eye.

In 2004, Shirley became a grandma to her first of three grandchildren, Caleb, Noah and Benjamin. Being a grandma was her biggest joy. Knowing what life as a single mother was like, Shirley was very supportive of Rachel and was very involved in the upbringing of her grandsons. She showed up to every Little League game, she made snacks for every Star Wars Rebel marathon, and taught the boys how to play chess and how to pray the Rosary. She not only nourished her family spiritually, but also with food, making the best peanut butter toast, curry and sourdough bread!

Shirley was a peace maker. She was the central person who connected the family and was a loyal sister and a sweet, dear friend. Her unconditional love will be missed by her daughter, Rachel; three grandsons, Caleb, Noah and Benjamin; four siblings, Nancy Trolard, Patricia (Daniel) Lawrence, James (Mary) Williams and Mary (Wlodek) Tarnawski; a Godson and Goddaughter; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her husband, Dave.

Family and friends are welcome to gather from 6-8 PM on Tuesday, January 7, 2025 at Adams - Redmond Funeral Home, 4100 S. Westnedge Ave., Kalamazoo, MI 49008, where a Rosary will be recited at 7:30 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 AM Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at St. Augustine Cathedral, 542 W. Michigan Ave., Kalamazoo, MI 49007. A luncheon will be provided in the Fr. Crowley Center immediately following Mass. The Rite of Committal will take place at 1 PM that afternoon at East Cooper Cemetery, at the corner of Riverview and D Avenue. For those wishing to make a contribution in Shirley’s memory, the family suggests Mass offerings at the parish of your choice.