Shirley Sowa

[Lois Sowa Stipp]

From the Sowa Family

Shirley Elizabeth (White) Sowa was born on May 25, 1935 on Beaver Island, Michigan. She was the daughter of Capt. John C. and Catherine (ODonnell) White. Her grandmother, Elsie (Schmit) ODonnell, delivered her in a small white house on Round Lake.
Shirley married Major Gerald R. Sowa, and together they raised four children. Despite extensive travel with her family because of her husband’s military career, she achieved a BSN in nursing. She was a Register Nurse and Enterostomal therapist as well as a hospital supervisor and educator during her successful career. She retired in 1995 at which time she and Jerry moved back to Beaver Island. She continued to live in the house that Jerry built on Donegal Bay before and after his passing in 2006.
After a hard-fought battle with cancer, Shirley passed away on March 15, 2021. She leaves behind her children Lois Marie (Kevin) Stipp, John (Elaine) Sowa, Michael (Michelle LaFreniere) Sowa, Catherine (Joel) Meintsma. She has 11 grandchildren Jacob Stipp, Jess (Harvey) Duarte, Theresa (Jeff ) Pliska, Melissa (Mike) Murdock , Jeremy (Danielle) Sowa, Cory (Katina) Sowa, Tara Sowa, Aubreanne (Kyle) Brown, Kyle Meintsma, Kameron Meintsma, and Shelby Meintsma. Additional, Shirley leaves 12 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents Captain John Clifford White and Catherine O’Donnell White; her brothers John Clayton (Nancy) White and James (Patricia) White, and sister Kathleen Neiser. She is survived by her sisters Audrey (Vince) Beilman and Pam O’Brien.
We hope that when you remember our mom you will do so with a smile. She was a warm, fiercely witty, loving, and kind soul.

“I fought the good fight but now it’s time to go.”

[JFPowers]

I am so sorry for your loss, we all loved Shirley and had many fun times with her, she will be missed. Bless you and your family

Jeff Powers

[Lois Sowa Stipp]

Thank you, Jeff. I should add that we will be having a funeral and service May 17.