Shirley Vejvoda passed away at her home in Friday Harbor with her family by her side on February 5, 2022.

Shirley was born in Chicago, IL on September 5, 1930, to Louis and Mildred Brdar. She spent her childhood in Chicago and after her high school graduation in 1948, moved with her family to Tacoma, WA.

On October 22, 1949, she married her childhood sweetheart, John Vejvoda. They raised two daughters, Susie and Nancy and a son, John. Shirley dearly loved her family. Over the years they enjoyed picnics, camping, hiking, backpacking, fishing, and boating together. Besides her children, her greatest joy were her grandchildren, Peter and Katy Kulseth.

In 1989, Shirley and John moved to Friday Harbor. She became active in the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary, the Animal Protection Society and enjoyed volunteering at the Community Theater.

Shirley was an avid reader her entire life and always had a book in her hand. She loved to cook and bake and shared her creations with many happy recipients. She was a great gardener and enjoyed tending her beautiful flowers.

Shirley was known for always having a smile on her face. Her smile was contagious. She will be remembered most for her compassion, boundless kindness and generosity. She will be greatly missed by the many people whose lives she enriched.

Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, John in 2008. She is survived by her children, Susie Vejvoda Doyle (Michael), Nancy Vejvoda and John Vejvoda (Diana), grandchildren, Peter and Katy Kulseth, brother, Louis Brdar, several cousins, nieces and nephews and her beloved cat, Cookie.

The family requests that honorary donations in Shirley’s name be made to the Animal Protection Society. Mailing address: 938 Cattle Point Road, Friday Harbor, WA 98250.

A Celebration of Life will be held later on this summer.