Shirley Jean Agan-Privett passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, July 27, 2013 after a valiant and prolonged battle with cancer. Shirley has been a resident of Derry for the last 2 ½ years living with her son Robert, daughter in law Margaret and granddaughter Madelaine.
Shirley was born in Los Angeles, CA on January 12, 1936 to Patricia (Sweeney) Austin and Donald Austin. Shirley spent most of her life in Los Angeles or San Diego. A graduate of Glendale High School, she married her first husband SSGT USMC Ross Mannet Stoker in 1954. After multiple moves around the southwest for Marine Corps duty assignments, she landed up in Montana with her husband and son, only to have her husband Ross die within 3 months of arrival. Shirley and her son relocated to Oceanside, California where she worked for the Marine Corp in Supply Admin for the next 10 years at Camp Pendleton. Shirley remarried in 1972 to Don Agan of Escondido, CA. She then went to work at the Golden Door Spa and Cosmetics Company as a floral and gift designer. She loved the work and the people she worked with. Her second husband Don passed away in 1990. Though life is never easy for anyone, when asked about how she managed to keep it together; she would always say “This is nothing, there’s always someone out there with it much worse.” It was this love of life, family and belief in the good of all humans that made her an instant friend to all she met. Luckily there was that one more special man for Shirley, Cliff Privett an artist, musician, carpenter and friend to all. They were able to spend a few fun and loving years together and truly had found the one for them.
Shirley is survived by her son Robert Stoker, daughter in law Margaret Stoker, granddaughter Madelaine Stoker and sister Dianne Messersmith. Mom will be remembered by us all for her caring nature, unlimited love and that sparkle in her eye. Be at Peace and know that you will always be remembered and loved.
There are no calling hours. A Memorial Liturgy of Christian Burial was celebrated on Friday, August 2, 2013 at 10:00am in Holy Cross Church, 187 Hampstead Road, Derry, NH. In lieu of flowers, please consider a generous donation to Home Health and Hospice Care, 7 Executive Park Dr., Merrimack, NH 03054.