Jill M Shirley

Jill Marie Shirley, age 55, lifelong resident of Mankato, died Tuesday, September 30, 2008 at Oaklawn Health Care Center in Mankato following a three year battle with bone cancer.

Memorial service will be 1:00 p.m., Saturday, October 4, 2008 at SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Mankato. Visitation will be one hour prior to the services at the church on Saturday. Memorials are preferred to English Springer Spaniel Rescue of America. Mankato Mortuary assisted the family with arrangements.

Jill was born on June 13, 1953 in Redwood Falls. She was the daughter of Clement "Red" and Fidelis (Balkenol) Shirley. Jill was a 1972 graduate of Mankato West High School. She had been employed with Carlson Craft and Johnson Outdoors. Jill was later employed with Ameripride for approximately 18 years and part-time with Home Magazine for about 20 years. Jill was a member of SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Mankato, VFW 950 Ladies Auxiliary, Mankato Moose Lodge, Therapy Dogs International, and Key City Kennel Club. She enjoyed traveling and showing her five purebred English Springer Spaniels at dog shows in eight states throughout the U.S., where the dogs where active in Conformation, Obedience, Agility, and Rally. She also enjoyed bringing therapy dogs to nursing homes and was active in Springer rescue.

Jill is survived by her mother, Fidelis Shirley Harrington of Mankato; one brother, Con Shirley and his wife, Leigh of Dallas, TX; nephew and god-son, Casey Shirley of Dallas, TX; cousins, Charlotte Pazik of Mankato and Lorraine Anderson of the Washington, D.C. area; 2nd cousin, Lynn Beadell of Mankato; and extended Don Harrington family.

She was preceded in death by her father, Red Shirley; brother, Danny; step-father, Don Harrington; paternal grandparents, Paul and Agnes Shirley; maternal grandparents, Frank and Jenny Balkenol; cousin, Bud Anderson; and her pet Springer Spaniels.