Shirley Card McCandless
In Loving Memory of: Shirley C. McCandless
Shirley C. McCandless passed away peacefully at home in the presence of loving family members in Salt Lake City on March 19th, 2025, shortly after her 96th birthday. She was born on March 12th, 1929, in Cardston, Alberta, Canada, to Lucille Cleveland and DeWilton Card. After a happy small-town childhood and involvement in student government, basketball, cheerleading, and dancing, she graduated from Cardston High School. Shirley attended a tailoring design school in Vancouver, British Columbia, where she worked making ladies’ suits. Later, she was a clerk at the Royal Bank until she immigrated to the US and married Geary A. McCandless. Their five sons were born in Texas, Michigan, New Mexico, and Colorado. Shirley was usually up for a challenge, joining her athletic sons in their motorcycling, alpine skiing, water skiing, and hiking adventures. She worked at YESCO Signs (was awarded for her great customer rapport), sold real estate, and then Avon in her neighborhood. She regularly volunteered at Temple Square, the Utah Symphony, the Jordan River Temple, or the Food Bank.
Shirley will always be remembered for her unassuming nature and gentle kindness to everyone, her many decades of playing the organ or piano at church, her willingness to contribute, her diligent faithfulness, and her impressive skills at household arts. Playing music, gardening, watercolor painting, swimming with grandkids, and having family or friends visit were her favorite activities. Shirley had fun traveling with family and close friends to Hawaii, Alaska, Missouri, California, etc., and beyond the USA to Israel, Spain, Japan, the UK, Canada, Mexico, and more.
Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Robert Card, her ex-husband, Geary, and her grandson-in-law, Gabe Wauson. She is survived by her five sons: Allen (Cindy), Ray (Laura), Phil (LiLee), Stuart (Peggy), Russell (Lesley), her ten grandchildren: Brooke, Clayton (Vanessa), Tess (Brandon Dye), Ryan, Brenna (Shawn Schiwal), Katie (Parker Jensen), Martin (Alexis Moore), Erin, Ian, Christian, eleven -almost twelve great-grandchildren, her three nephews, and their families. Our beloved Mom and Grandma Shirley will continue to fill our hearts and memories with her love. We share her appreciation for the caring staff at A-Plus Hospice, The Wellington, and Highland Cove.
Shirley's memorial service will be held at 4845 S. Woodhaven Dr, Taylorsville, UT 84123 on Sat, March 29th at 11 am, and you are invited to gather with the family at 10 am. The interment will be at Memorial Mountain View Cemetery.