Shirley May (Squires) Watson was born August 8, 1937 to Marshall Cary Squires and Lena May (Shoop) Squires.  Shirley was the eldest of three children; Shirley May, Marsha Cynthia and Marshall Cary Squires II.  Shirley was the only child for 10 years, before Marsha was born and then 6 more years elapsed until Marshall was born.  Shirley was sixteen when Marshall was born and essentially was a second mother for him.

Shirley was educated in the Denver Public Schools system attending Louisa May Alcott Elementary School, Skinner Junior High School and North High School graduating in 1955.  Shirley attended college majoring in Elementary Education and graduated from Denver University in Denver.  Shirley became a first grade teacher in the Denver Public Schools system and taught for 17 years, until a break in her health forced her to retire.

Shirley went on a college trip to middle eastern and European countries, before starting her teaching career and then when she and Loren were married, they traveled extensively throughout the United States and Canada in a pickup with a cab-over camper and then later a Winnebago motor home.

Shirley met and married Loren Dale Watson in 1966.  They met while square dancing in Denver, CO.  They had no children together and Loren had two children from a previous marriage; a daughter, Tina (Watson) Fort and a son, Lennie A. Watson.

Shirley and her husband became interested in family history and genealogy and traveled to many locations to research the same.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, sister Marsha and her husband Fred D. Magley, and her stepdaughter Tina,  Shirley is survived by his stepson Lennie, her brother, Marshall and his wife, Connie of Goodland and numerous nieces and nephews.  Shirley is also survived by numerous other extended family members.

Shirley participated in many organizations including Order of Eastern Star for 60 years.  Since her move from Aurora, CO in 2009, she became involved in Bird City Historical Association, Bird City Threshers Association, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), St. Francis Music Club, and Western Plains Arts Association (WPAA).

Shirley was previously a member of Berkley Baptist Church of Denver, CO and became a member of First Christian Church of St. Francis, KS upon moving to St. Francis.

Shirley was a very kind-hearted individual and knew no enemies.  She was a very compassionate and loving individual and she will be missed by all who knew and loved her!