Shirley Mae Burris passed away after a brief illness with her sons at her side on October 18, 2016 in the town of Sebastopol. She was born to her parents Harvey and Katherine Berry on February 28, 1927 in South Dakota. Shirley attended Immanuel Hospital School of Nursing in Omaha, Nebraska, graduating in 1948 as a Registered Nurse. Her career as a nurse took her to many different places including working for Indian Health in Nebraska, the Veterans Administration in Sepulveda, CA and finally to Sonoma State Hospital - Eldridge, from where she retired. Shirley is predeceased by her husband Gerald Warner Burris who passed in 1992. She is survived by her sons: Mark Burris of Santa Rosa, Kelly Burris of Los Angeles, Mike (Sharon) Burris of Santa Rosa; grandchildren: Dylan Burris of Los Angeles, Kevin (Kelly) Burris of Cotati, Trevor Burris of Galt; and one great-grandson: Warner James Burris. Friends and family are invited to a Celebration of Life for Shirley on Sat. Oct. 29th at 2:00 p.m. at Brookdale at Paulin Creek, 2375 Range Ave., Santa Rosa, CA.

Published online in the Press Democrat from Oct. 26 to Oct. 29, 2016.