[MD-AtLarge] Important Reminder

[nfbmd]

Hello all,

 

The memorial service for our friend and colleague Shirley Morris takes place
this Saturday September 26 at 11:00 am.  Here is the obituary that appeared
in the Baltimore Sun on Sunday in case you missed it.

 

Shirley (May) Morris, world traveler, accomplished pianist, volunteer
extraordinaire and homecoming queen passed away on August 10, 2015. She was
77 years old.
Shirley was born in Sterling, Colorado to the late Boyd T. May and Carol
(Bear) May. Her father worked for the railroad and they moved several times
before settling in Eastlake, Colorado. She took piano lessons for 12 years
and became the Assistant Organist for the First Congregational Church of
Eastlake. She attended Brighton High School where she was elected the 1956
homecoming queen. Brighton High was also where she met her future husband,
Don.  After dating for a couple of years, these high school sweethearts
eloped during their senior year. 2015 saw them celebrate their 59th wedding
anniversary.
They moved to Iowa in 1964 where she worked as an Executive Assistant. In
1968 they learned that her husband was blind and this began her long term
involvement with the National Federation of the Blind (NFB). Shirley worked
as a tireless volunteer for the NFB, and served as the Convention Registrar
for 30+ years.
In 1976 the family relocated to Baltimore, Maryland. Shirley continued
working in the banking industry and volunteering for the NFB. She also
adopted Blind Industries and Services of Maryland (BISM) as a major
volunteer commitment. She especially liked BISM’s programs for senior blind
people and blind children. They moved to Emmitsburg, Maryland in 1984 when
her husband opened his own business. At this point she joined him in running
his company - O'Leary's Emporium.
For her 50th birthday, Shirley and Don took their first trip outside of the
United States. They traveled to England, Ireland and Scotland. This is when
they were "bit" by the travel bug. Over the next 24 years they visited 47
countries on 6 continents. She was particularly fond of their trips to Asia
and Australia and cruising the Amazon River.
In 2012 they bought a house in Oviedo, Florida and have split their time
between Florida and Maryland for the last few years.
Shirley was the epitome of class, elegance and beauty. The person that you
liked the minute you met her. She was kind, thoughtful and gracious and was
beloved by family and friends alike. Her radiant smile is remembered by all
who shared it.
Shirley is survived by her husband Donald Morris, her brother and
sister-in-law Donald and Marva Lea May of Grand Junction, Colorado, her son
Kirk Morris and his wife Cheryl of Fairfield, Pennsylvania, daughters
Kristine Kraus and her husband Mike of Oviedo, Florida and Kathi Efland and
her husband Steve of Winter Springs, Florida. Also her 8 grandchildren -
Sarah Morris (Pete McDaniel), Emily Wantz (Eric), Chelsea Sermeño (Nick),
Matthew Kraus, Allison Mihalich (Neil), Ashley Kraus (Dustin Whitlow),
Hayley Efland, and Tyler Kraus. She is also survived by her very precious
great grand-daughter Madison Wantz and numerous nieces and nephews.

There will be a Celebration of Shirley’s life on Saturday, September 26,
2015 at 11:00am at Blind Industries and Services of Maryland, 3345
Washington Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21227. 

Although Shirley planted flowers every place she lived, she would prefer
memorials to be made either to BISM (at the above address) earmarked for the
Kids’ Camp Program or the Seniors Program, or to the National Federation of
the Blind, 200 East Wells Street at Jernigan Place, Baltimore, MD 21230.



 

Sharon Maneki, President

National Federation of the Blind of Maryland

410-715-9596

 

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