Shirley Drotleff

SHIRLEY A. DROTLEFF (nee Noelck), aged 77 years, dearly beloved wife for 41 years to Wayne F., loving mother of Diane K. and Kurt W. (wife Lauren), devoted daughter of the late Henry and Violette (nee Brandt) Noelck, cherished sister of Warren Noelck (deceased) (wife Mary Alice Mooney) and Myron Noelck (deceased) (wife Corinne), fond aunt and grand-aunt. Contributions suggested to the American Cancer Society, 10501 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44106; or to Hospice of the Western Reserve, 17876 St. Clair Ave., Cleveland, OH 44110. Funeral services Saturday, Aug. 8, 2015 at Messiah Lutheran Church, 5200 Mayfield Rd., Lyndhurst, at 11 AM. Burial following in Knollwood Cemetery.

Shirley was born on January 17, 1938 in Westside, Iowa. She attended Westside Consolidated High School, graduating in 1956. She received her undergraduate BFA in 1960 from Northwest Missouri State, and her graduate MA in 1966 and her MFA in 1967, both from the University of Iowa.

Shirley was an amazing source of light in many peoples’ lives. Compassionate, kind, generous, loving, full of laughter and joy. No occasion, small or large, went by unnoticed or not celebrated. She lived for her family, her music, and her church. She was a woman of unyielding grace, class, laughter and love.

Shirley was a vocal/choral music teacher for 39 years, working in the West Geauga Schools for 27 years. She was a member of Messiah Lutheran Church in Lyndhurst, Ohio for 10 years, serving as organist since 2010. She was a member of the Faith Circle and Woman’s Book Club at her church, and also a long term member of the Sports Car Club of America (N.E. Ohio region).

She enjoyed gardening, playing piano and organ, reading, baking, entertaining friends, her book club, and listening to classical music. Her favorite music was choral, organ, and classical, especially Mozart, Handel, Haydn and Beethoven.

Her true joy in life came from her family, teaching music to children, singing, holidays and traveling with her husband. Her favorite holiday was Christmas, and in 37 years, she, her husband and their two children were never apart. She found great enjoyment in making sure each Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and birthday celebrations were “just right!!”.

She passed away on Tuesday, August 4, 2015 at Hospice House of the Hospice of the Western Reserve in Cleveland.

Family will receive friends to pay tribute and celebrate the life of Shirley at THE DeJOHN-FLYNN-MYLOTT FUNERAL HOME OF SOUTH EUCLID, 4600 MAYFIELD RD. (just East of Green Rd.) FRIDAY 4-8 PM.