Shirlee Kathleen Ploeser

Shirlee Berrier Ploeser, 86, died Friday November 26, 2010 at Caretique Senior Care Center of Vancouver, WA of complications from Alzheimer's disease. Shirlee was born May 5, 1924 in Los Angeles, CA. Most of her life was spent in California. When she relocated as a widow, it was an adjustment to get used to no longer living in her native state. She has lived in Vancouver WA for four years. Shirlee was predeceased by two husbands: George Ploeser and Robert Ploeser. She is survived by two sisters, Jean Weed of Grants Pass, OR., and Eleanor Cool and brother-in-law Ivan Cool of Pismo Beach, CA.; daughters and sons-in-law Christine and Allen Smith of Vancouver, WA., Carole and Ralph Temple of Mission Viejo, CA., Loraine Ploeser of Laguna Beach, CA., and Elise and Orlando Mayo of Petaluma, CA., grandchildren Tracy, Nicole, Jeffrey, Allison, Jason and Brittany; and three great- grandchildren. She worked at Lockheed Aircraft as a secretary and messenger during WWII. She was a home maker and loving wife and mother. Shirlee was a very sweet lady and never said a bad thing about others. She believed that a wife and mother belonged at home. Since she had girls, everything we wore was hand-made. She did work for a short time in a fabric store. It's was just down her alley. It gave her some self-esteem when she bought her own car with her earnings. As Dad was a teacher, we spent most of our vacations camping and traveling by car. Mom never complained about having to work harder at the campsite. She continued to cook full meals, rather than make it easier for herself. Throughout her lifetime she always wanted to help out. Even when she didn't realize that she couldn't physically do everything, she wanted to be helpful in the kitchen and around the house when visiting. She kept a diary for several years. Reading through them has been enlightening and a good way to track her life in the past. A family gravesite service will be scheduled for the spring at Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren in Riverside. There will be a meal following the service. Those attending are welcome to share their remembrances. The family suggests donations to the National Alzheimer's Association.

Shirlee Kathleen Ploeser

May 5, 1924 - November 26, 2010