In 2008 Shirley moved to a senior apartment to be closer to her daughter and get more supportive care.  She enjoyed weekly outings, prepared meals, entertainment and playing bingo.  Shirley made many new friends and really enjoyed the freedom and services that apartment living allowed.

Shirley will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved her.  She was kind, generous, fun loving, always positive, and she possessed the great sense of humor she got from her father and that she passed along to her children.  

Shirley is survived by all three children, William ("Jerry") Mezger, Thomas Mezger and Susan Sullivan along with 6 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.  Shirley is also survived by her younger brother, James Hyatt of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

Bill passed away in May of 1989 and Shirley continued to live in their home for another 20 years.   Family often visited and Shirley enjoyed new friendships with people she met in Orlando and even from her high school days.  She traveled to Europe with her friend Roger and China to visit her son, Tom.  Shirley continued to enjoy the theme parks and activities Orlando had to offer.  

Bill and Shirley's children grew to adults and left home to start their own families.  
In 1979 Bill and Shirley moved to Orlando, Florida to be closer to Shirley's family in Ft. Lauderdale and enjoy year round warm weather.  They bought a beautiful home on a private golf course.

Bill continued to work part time and Shirley looked after professional golfer's children.  Shirley enjoyed creating needlepoint pictures and decorating the new house.  Because Orlando is a wonderful place for boaters, with many places to explore and enjoy, Bill and Shirley spent more time together on their boat. Shirley loved to go to nearby Disneyworld, especially EPCOT Center, whenever friends and family visited. 

In 1945, during World War II, Shirley met and married William (Bill) Mezger. Together they raised two sons and a daughter in Kansas City, then St. Louis.  In 1965 Bill was hired as an executive for Children's Press and the family moved to the Chicago area.  One of the family's favorite activities in St. Louis and Chicago was boating.  Bill loved to fish and get together with other boaters, and the entire family joined in.