Shirley M. Frayer

Shirley Mae Frayer ascended peacefully on Friday, June 16, 2017, surrounded by her children and loved ones. Shirley was born on September 15, 1930 in Chatham, Ontario, Canada to Laura and Lyle Reid, and soon thereafter moved to Pontiac, Michigan. She met her future husband, Donald Frayer, while attending Lincoln Junior High. Shirley and Don found each other early in life and began going steady in the 8th grade. They went on and attended Pontiac Central High and married shortly after Shirley’s graduation. Together they raised their four children and enjoyed many lifelong relationships with friends from high school. Shirley started a club in her early 20s, made up of kindergarten through high school friends, called the Young Mothers Club. As time went by it just became The Club, and these wonderful women are still meeting once a month over 60 years later. Shirley was a loving mother and wife and an incredible role model for her children. Her warm, fun-loving, and creative nature was special to everyone she touched. Shirley was the epitome of a gracious hostess when entertaining friends and family in their home. Shirley and Don moved to Florida after residing in the Waterford, Michigan area for many years, and then ultimately settled in Sonoma, California, to where all of their children had migrated. Shirley was a past member of the Santa Rosa Quilt Guild and the Valley of the Moon Garden Club (mostly for the great parties) and, until very recently, regularly attended watercolor classes at The Vintage House. She was a prolific quilter and artist, and her beautiful home reflects her talent. Shirley was preceded in death by Don, her husband of 62 years.

She leaves a legacy of love and laughter to her children who will miss her beyond measure. Cathy Frayer, Sonoma; Carol (Dave) Shemanski, Coeur d'Alene, ID; Robert Frayer (Gary Partridge), Sonoma; and John Frayer, Coeur d'Alene, ID. Shirley also will be greatly missed by her sister, Norma Cretal of Thousand Oaks, CA; and her brothers and sister-in-law, Clarence (Susan) Frayer, Leon (Nancy) Frayer, and Linda (Don) Fraser, all of Sarasota, FL.

Shirley was a loving grandmother to Michael Kassarjian, Jacquelyn (Josh) Hill, Joe (Katrina) Shemanski, and Mallory Frayer; and great-grandmother to Logan and Mason Kassarjian, Sophia and Michael Hill, Emily Shemanski, and Lillie and Dallas Pyne.

The family would like to thank their dear friend Sue Marino for her loving help the last few months. Also, wonderful Hospice by the Bay, Molly, Rosemary, Tyler and all of the staff--you were always there when we needed you and made it possible to keep her at home where she wanted to be.

Friends are invited to attend a celebration of a life well and joyfully lived, on Saturday, September 9, 2017. More details pending.

Donations in Shirley's name may be made to our local Meals on Wheels, P.O. Box 622, Sonoma, CA 95476; or Hospice by the Bay, 190 W. Napa St., Sonoma, CA 95476. 

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