Shirl Thomas (Mather)

Shirl was a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, known as “Mom”, “Mama”, “Mama-san”, “Oma”, “Ga”, and “Grammy”. She is survived by her children Donna, David, and Debra; grandchildren: Josh, Jeff, Shannon, and Lindsy; great-grandchildren: Lily, Matthew, Liam, River, William, and Elisa. She was preceded in death by her grandson Eric and her sisters, Jill and Beverly.

Shirl was born in South Plainfield, New Jersey to George and Maria Mather. Her father was a Colonel in the army during and after World War II and later became a general. While they were stationed in Yokohama, Japan she attended Yokohama High School where she played on the women’s basketball team and with a gifted voice, sang solos at school events.

After leaving Japan her family moved to New Orleans where she worked at the base PX (military store) where she met and fell in love with Melvin Thomas. At the young age of 16 and only weeks after they met, Shirl married Mel. This was quite a life changing experience to leave the luxuries of an officer’s family life to be managing a budget on a corporal’s salary. I am sure that some may have thought the marriage was against the odds and would not last. Love was stronger than the odds since their marriage lasted 58 years! Together and with the help of Dad’s military career, Shirl and Mel lived in five states, with three tours of duty in Germany. When Mel retired from the Army, they finally settled in Fountain Valley, California in 1971. He worked at Orange Coast College for 18 years as a computer programmer and Shirl would occasionally work there during registration.

Blessed with an incredible talent for written expression, Shirl began writing poetry as a child. Later she wrote verses for greeting cards and taught others how to submit their proposals. She had poetry and other writings published in many books and magazines.

She taught free-lance writing and held a writer’s class in her home for many years. She started “Shirl’s Editing Service” and was known as the “Book Doctor,” as she edited books for the last 25 years. Although she did not have a formal degree, she did attend Orange Coast College.

Shirl was proud of her “Silver Life Master” duplicate bridge rating, but I know she mostly enjoyed playing bridge because she loved sharing time with her friends. Duplicate bridge enabled her to cope with the loss of Mel in 2010. The pandemic made it tough for her when she was not able to play and missed her friends at the bridge clubs.

My sisters and I are grateful for the wonderful memories of Mom going over the top to make holidays and birthdays special. We will always remember the hand sewn Barbie doll clothes and Halloween costumes. Christmas mornings were spectacular with her elaborately wrapped gifts and rhyming clues for a treasure hunt for our last gift. Every meal was prepared to perfection as we learned to like many types of food with our “no thank you portion”. With Mom we sang family songs in the kitchen and travelling in the car. I can hear the “Old Family Toothbrush” and “There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly” as we washed the dishes. On Sunday mornings Dad played Tennessee Ernie Ford hymns as Mom made brunch when we returned from church.

There has always been one constant in my sisters’ and my lives--our mother’s love. We will miss the kisses and hugs and the time we shared. I am certain that Mel and Shirl are together and Mom is happy again. Mom, you are missed and you know that we love you!