Shirley Irene Van Ness Boyes

After a long bout with a nerve-related illness, Shirley Boyes was called home to be with our Lord, Jesus Christ, in the early morning hours of July 14, 2003, at Careage of Whidbey.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Whidbey Evangelical Free Church, south of Greenbank. Cremation will be held under the direction of Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.

Shirley Irene Van Ness Boyes was born Nov. 26, 1930, at Yreka, Calif., to Ethel I. Frank Van Ness and Vern E. Van Ness. She graduated with a mathematics scholarship from Castlemont High School, Oakland, Calif., in 1948. She applied this scholarship toward tuition for nurses training at the Highland School of Nursing, Oakland, where she received her Registered Nurse degree in 1951.

She married Allen D. Boyes of Armour, S.D., in May of 1950. The couple raised four sons. Allen completed a 30-year career in the Navy, retiring as a full commander in 1975 in Hawaii. Upon his retirement, the family relocated to their home in Edmonds. In 1981, Shirley and Allen sold their house in Edmonds and moved to Central Whidbey, north of Greenbank, at which time they became involved in the beginning and growth of the Whidbey Evangelical Free Church.

Shirley enjoyed studying various works of God’s creation, such as birds, cats, and other animals. She could often be found helping an injured bird back to health. This interest carried over into her work as a ceramic artist, where she created many fine replicas of birds and squirrels. Additionally, her nursing skills were put to use performing many hours of volunteer work at Careage of Whidbey.

She is survived by her husband, Allen; four sons, David W., James A. and his wife, Maureen (Terry), John E. and Larry W. and his wife, Linnie (Leonard); and two granddaughters, Shawna J. Boyes and Christina (Boyes), and her husband, Miguel Hernandez.

Memorials may be made to the Pregnancy Care Clinic, Oak Harbor.