Shirley Jean Piethe
Shirley Jean (Page) Piethe, age 88, passed away Friday, April 17, 2015, at her home in Mill Creek, WA. She was born on November 10, 1926, in North East, PA, daughter of the late Russell Page and Ida (Ott) Page.
Shirley is survived by her loving husband, Carl, of 67 years, and their four children: Lynda Riekels (Bruce), Christine Kieso (Robert Orth), Ronald Piethe (Sara), and Annette Vahratian (Arthur), one sister, Dorothy Manley, two brothers, Raymond Page (Alice), and Robert Page (Rhonda), ten grandchildren: Ryan Riekels (Rachel), Robyn Ostrander (Anthony), Carlene Kieso, Gregory Kieso, Mark Kieso, Brian Piethe (Lindsay), Mark Piethe (Lindsey), Kristie Piethe, Alyssa Vahratian and Audrey Vahratian, three great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by three sisters, Ruth Helffrich, Genevieve Maynard, and Virginia Adams.
After graduating from North East High School, Shirley obtained her Registered 
Nursing degree while also serving in the U.S. Nurse Cadet Corps. Subsequently she worked as an RN at Hamot Women’s Hospital (Erie, PA), Highland and Sinai Hospital (Detroit, MI), and later at Presbyterian Village (Redford, MI) as the Director of Nursing, spanning a total of more than 40 years as a dedicated health care professional. Shirley was awarded Michigan State Nurse of the Year in 1989 for her innovative contributions to geriatric nursing.
Shirley was a kind and gentle soul with an independent and passionate spirit. Shirley had many hobbies – she loved to read, was an avid gardener, exceptional baker, expert embroiderer, and was a friend to many hummingbirds. She shared her extensive life experiences and her deeply felt sense of tradition with her family.
A memorial service will be held in Shirley’s honor at Mill Creek Community Church on April 25, 2015, where she was a member. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the American Cancer Society or Mill Creek Community Church (Mill Creek, WA).
5 Responses to “Shirley Jean Piethe”
Leave a Reply
Please be respectful. Disrespectful comments will not be published
When you have successfully submitted a comment, look in the space above to see your comment.
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
If you do not see your comment, click HERE
Chris, our thoughts are with you and your family. Your mom is tucked in our prayers as are you. We love you.
Gay and Cliff
Heaven is a richer place with Shirley there, but there is a huge hole here that no-one can fill. She was a gentle and caring woman – a consummate nurse! We just saw her about a month ago and she was, as always, welcoming with that beautiful smile. Blessings to your wonderful family – you are all in our prayers.
What a beautiful life she lived. Our hearts are with you. We love you, Chris.
We send our heartfelt condolences for the loss of your Mom. We have so many fond memories of Shirley’s calm and kind nature. We pray for your families healing and appreciation of time you had together.
Mom recollects back in PA when Shirley worked at the candy counter at a Orchard Beach store (Cranes).
With Love,
Dorothy(sister), Gordon, and Kathy
We loved Shirley and her soft spoken, endearing nature. I don’t think we ever saw her without a smile on her face. We felt our last visit with her was a gift and we thoroughly enjoyed our time with her. She exemplified a woman of faith and was not fearful of what lie ahead. She expressed how blessed she was to have such a wonderful family and life. Our hearts are saddened that she no longer dwells here on earth, but rejoice with the angels knowing that she has settled into her eternal home.