Shirley Mildred Whiteside Obituary (2024)

Shirley was born in Spokane, WA in 192 8 to Edward and Elizabeth Rasch. She attended schools in the Spokane valley and then WSU where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. At WSU she met her future husband, Jim. After his service in WWII and their marriage in 1948 they moved to Seattle. Shirley was a telephone company Service Representative until their son, David, was born and Shirley's career as a devoted mother began. In 1952 Jim purchased the ServiceMaster franchise in Yakima and he started Whiteside Cleaning Service. Jim and Shirley both fell in love with the Yakima area. They formed many deep and life-long friendships that were greatly treasured. Adding Carol, Molly, Bruce and Brian made it a happy family with five children and busy years of PTA's and sports and water-skiing, hiking and campingesp. at Mt. Rainier - followed. Shirley was a past active member of First Presbyterian church, serving as Elder, Deacon and Stephen Minister and member of Mary McLean Guild, member of Chapter PBD-PEO, over 50 wonderful years as a member of the Russian reading group, and rewarding time as a member of a small group called "Focus." She enjoyed the years of tennis, golf, bridge and gardening. She also served as a Memorial Hospice respite relief volunteer for many years. In 1980 she opened LooWit Gardens and operated it for 10 years. She commented that it was like raising a beloved 6th child and after selling it she truly missed Yakima's many ardent gardener customers. Upon retirement Shirley and Jim spent delightful years with their various RVs; traveling the country and often spending time in the Southwest desert and Cascade Mountains. Shirley passed shortly before midnight on Leap Day, just after her 96h birthday, and was preceded in death by her husband, Jim, and grandson, Peter. Children: David (Lynn), Carol Kiriluk (Larry), Molly Archer (Harry), Brian (Cindy), Bruce (Leslie). Grandchildren: Jacob, Casey, Jon, Christine, Ben, Mitch, Hallie, Natalie, James, Michael, Andrew, Kaitlyn and Megan. Great-grandchildren: Alex, Avery, Blake, Laura, Bailey, Sadie, Leo, Shari, Harlow and Astrid - and more to come! Memorials may be given to Yakima Valley Museum or the Yakima Area Arboretum. A private service will be held. Brookside Funeral Home is caring for the family. www.brooksidefuneral.com