Shirley Ann Curray

Shirley Curray (Salter)
June 6, 1939 – January 16, 2024

Shirley Ann Curray passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 16th, 2024 at age 84, at Methodist Hospital in Des Moines, IA.

She was born to Stewart and Helen Salter in Ottumwa, IA on June 6th, 1939. She graduated from Ottumwa High School. She later went on to marry Thomas D. Curray on March 3, 1962 and moved first to Des Moines for a short while, then settling the rest of her life in Ankeny. Later in life, enjoyed spending time at their farm. Together, they were blessed with 2 children: Kim and Tom. They have loved and enjoyed each other for over 61 wonderful years together in marriage. They have certainly set an outstanding example to all of us.

Shirley had previously worked at Sears, ASCS office and in Registration at DMACC-Ankeny, where she retired. She was an avid gardener with a beautiful backyard each and every year. She loved spending time out there. She enjoyed entertaining friends/neighbors/family, playing cards, getting together with her special groups “the 10th Street Coffee Group” monthly, their blue shirt lunch group and her red hat group. She was a beautiful soul who never knew a stranger. If you were blessed to meet Shirley, you would become a lifelong friend that really became part of her family. Once a friend, you were a friend for life. And each of you were so important to her. She was loyal and compassionate, always ready to lend an ear or hand. She was always on the phone, sometimes late-night chats or texting. She loved garden tours, flowers and bird watching from her living room and backyard. She was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great friend to all that knew her. She enjoyed cooking and providing special treats for her family and friends. She was always proud of her kids, grandkids, and great grandkids. She loved them as much as they loved her. All the grandkids and great grandkids loved being at Grandma Shirley’s, it was there you felt at home.

Shirley is survived by her husband, Thomas D. Curray of Ankeny; daughter, Kimberly (Michael) Hochstetler of Winterset and son Thomas (Karene) of Bondurant. Grandchildren include Ashley (Andrew) Baker of Ward, AR, Tyler (Carol) of West Des Moines, Noah (Marisa) of Detroit, MI, Kailey, Rose, Sophie, Rylie and Levi Curray of Bondurant, IA. Great-grandchildren include Austin and Anderson Baker of Ward, AR and Fiona, Eliana and Uriah Hochstetler of West Des Moines, IA.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Betty Rush (sister), Stewart Salter (brother) and Allan Michael Curray (grandson).

A Celebration of Shirley’s Life will be held at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens Funeral Home, 121 NW 60th Ave, Des Moines, IA 50313 on Tuesday, January 23, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. Family will greet guests one hour prior to services.

In lieu of flowers, donations can me made to Make A Wish-Iowa, 3009 100th Street, Urbandale, Iowa 50322-3220, in loving memory of Shriley Curray.

Final Resting place will be at the Batavia Cemetery at a later date.

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