Shirley R. Page

Shirley Ruth (Hibbert) Page, a devout wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and longtime resident of Des Moines, died Tuesday, March 10, 2020 at the age of 82 at Taylor House Hospice in Des Moines.

Shirley was born to the late Clarence and Florence Hibbert on April 23, 1937. She graduated from Des Moines East High School in 1955 and held several jobs throughout her years, most notably working in the lunchroom of Des Moines North High School and as a bank teller on Des Moines’ east side, later retiring for a short time in Florida before returning to Iowa to be closer to her growing family.

What Shirley lacked in height she more than made up for in the size of her heart and strength of her resolve. She, like her son and daughter, loved Elvis Presley, the Florida sun, and golfing, currently serving as the only member of the family with a hole-in-one. She was small but determined, never complaining or seeking attention, but always a strong woman who only spoke up when she knew something wasn’t right and was known to ‘goof off’ from time to time with the kids.

Shirley is preceded in death by her parents, brother Richard, sister Donna May, and daughter Tracie Jo Page. She’ll be deeply missed by her husband Norman Page Sr., her sisters Corabelle (Frank) Mauro and Joyce Short, and son, Norman (Carol) Page Jr. She also leaves behind a lifelong of lessons for her 5 grandchildren, Tim (Sara) Page of Hawaii, Rusty (Carrie) McCuen of Altoona, Courtney (Page) Marks of Altoona, Amy (Travis) Baker of Huxley and T.J. (Rachel) Page of Ankeny, her 17 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at Hamilton’s Funeral Home in West Des Moines on Saturday, March 14 at 11:00 AM. Family will greet guests from 5:00-7:00 PM Friday evening. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Taylor House Hospice of Des Moines, Easter Seals of Iowa, or Shriners Hospitals for Children of Minneapolis.

It was a pseudo rite of passage for her grandchildren and great grandchildren to grow taller than Shirley, but they now take pride in the fact that she will forever be looking down on them.

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