Shirley Bernice Maki

Shirley B. Maki, 80, died at her Ilwaco residence January 21, 2010 following a lengthy illness. The daughter of Robert and Henrietta (Simmons) Sell, she was born in San Diego, California August 30, 1929. Shirley traced her roots in Ilwaco back over 100 years. Her grandfather seined for salmon on the Columbia River. Her father was a career Navy man and Shirley and her sister Joan lived at various locations coast to coast. Upon his retirement the family returned to Ilwaco when Shirley was in the seventh grade. She was a graduate of Ilwaco High School. On February 15, 1950 she married her sweetheart, Emil Maki, in Ilwaco. Shirley became a wife, mother and homemaker. Emil died of a heart attack in 1965 and Shirley suddenly became a single mother, raising her three children. She worked for the National Bank of Commerce in Ilwaco and then for many years at Ocean Beach Hospital in various capacities. She was an active member of both the Order of Eastern Star and Rebekah's in Ilwaco. Shirley was blessed with many long time friendships in Ilwaco. She enjoyed knitting, reading, animals and she had taken several trips around the United States. Her family and her friends were her life. Shirley is survived by her daughter Karen Surface of Mukilteo, WA; sons David Maki of Grays River, WA and James Maki of Portland, OR; sister Joan Nelson of Vancouver; grandchildren Sunshine, Beau, Jennie, Matti and Allison; great-grandchildren Jack, Andrew, Zachary, Keegan and Luke. Family and friends attended a celebration of her life January 25, 2010 at Penttila's Chapel by The Sea in Long Beach. Burial next to Emil was held at Ilwaco Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the South Pacific County Humane Society, 324 2nd St. NE, Long Beach, WA 98631. Her guestbook is available at www.penttilaschapel.com