Shirley Grabhorn Walton July 8, 1922- May 13, 2021

Shirley Grabhorn Walton, 98, peacefully went to be with her Lord and Savior on May 13th. She was born to Lucy (Flynn) and Alexander Grabhorn, Jr. on July 8, 1922. She was a remarkable woman who loved life, and lived it with strength, courage, humor, enthusiasm and love. She had various jobs, but that which gave her the most satisfaction and joy was being a mother and a homemaker to her family. She was an avid bridge player into her 90's, knitter, pianist, actress in a local community theater, who also had a passion and a talent for restoring anything in need of fixing and TLC! She loved reading, gardening, hooking, doing crossword puzzles, playing golf and watching it on TV, and enjoying games with family and friends. She had a special love for Maine, having spent summers as a child on Bailey Island, and sharing that love with her children later on. She spent most of her married life enjoying the 2 family cottages on a beautiful Maine lake with multiple generations.

She was married to Franklin P Walton in 1942, just weeks before he left to serve his country in WWII. As an officer in the Marine Corps, he fought in the Pacific Campaign. They were certainly part of the "Greatest Generation".

She was predeceased by her dear husband, Frank, after 52 years of marriage, her two sisters, Lucy (Grabhorn) Rankin and Madeline Grabhorn, and her nephew, William Rankin. She is survived by her children and their spouses, all of whom she dearly loved: Peter Walton (Barbara), Sandy Burgio (John) and Larry Walton (Janal). Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were so special to her: Christi Rafferty and Mike (Jennifer) Walton, and their children, Jason Rafferty and Cole and Riley Walton. She was lovingly known as "Mom Shirley" to her step-grandchildren, Laura Birdsall, and Julia Zottner, and their children, Carleigh, Cate, Teddy, and Jadi. She is also survived by many nieces an nephews and their families.

There will be a Memorial Service and Celebration of Life at Christ Church in Murrells Inlet on June 9th at 11:00 am, and a burial at a later date on Bailey Island, Maine.

Shirley's obituary was written by Sandy Burgio.

Below: John Burgio's talk at Shirley's memorial service:

OUR MOM

Thanks to all of you that are here today as we celebrate and remember the life of a remarkable woman, known and loved by us as Mom, Grandma, GiGi, Mom Shirley, Aunt Shirley, Miss Shirley and just plain Shirley. Mom loved life and she lived it well. She loved a party, loved flowers, loved a garden, loved to play Bridge, loved food, especially lobster, shrimp and steamed clams ( and perhaps with a Bloody Mary or glass of white wine). She loved to laugh, loved humor and could find it just about anywhere. She loved Maine, Lake Alamoosook and Bailey Island. She loved to knit, hook and sew, loved to play the piano, act in plays in local community theater, loved sports, especially golf and tennis. In fact, there wasn’t much in life that she didn’t find and interest in or a love for.

More significantly, she loved her family, all of them and all unconditionally; her children; Pete and his wife Barb, Larry and his wife Janal, Sandy and me, her grandchildren Christi and Mike, her great grandchildren, Jason, Cole and Riley. Mom Shirley loved our Laura and Julie and their children, Carleigh, Cate, Teddy and Jadi as her own.

She loved her friends and had a lot of them over the years and out lived most of them. but since moving here to South Carolina to be with us, she made many new and dear friends, like many of you here today. If you were Shirley’s friend you could feel that love and were blessed by it!

Most significantly, as she was now suffering the debilitating effects of old age, especially just prior to the pandemic and the Covid lockdown, she came to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, as her savior. Here’s what happened and I am going to let Sandy tell you in her own words as she was present: one day during a visit by Sandy, Mom said “ Guess what I did today?” No, What Mom? “ I apologized to God for all the terrible things I did all of my life.” Wow, did you know that that’s what people do when they come to faith. They call that “repent of their sins. Sandy said: That’s super Mom, but you need to believe that Jesus died on the cross for those sins, and those sins will be forgiven, but you also need to believe what was hardest for you to believe before, and that is that He also rose from the dead, and is alive today. You need to believe this Mom, God forgives you for all your sins, and He will live in your heart, and when you die, you will be with Him forever in heaven. “ Oh I believe it!” Mom said. This was and is, as in all cases, a miraculous answer to years of prayers, petitions, witnessing and sharing and explaining Gospel stories with Mom, by us, our Pastors, our Church friends and family.

Some of you here today played a part in her journey of faith. Mom saw the love of God displayed by the love for her by the people of God.Your visits not only with her during our absence at Cape Cod, but continuing with those visits while we were here, along with taking her on outings, making scarves for her, sending her cards and celebrating her birthdays with us, and even without us, just to name a few. After coming to faith, friends of hers from this Church came with Holy Communion and encouraged her to learn the “Lords Prayer” just before they shut down. During the shutdown, Mom, with Sandy’s help and encouragement twice a day over the phone, continued to say the Lord’s Prayer, and they worked together on her memorizing the 23rd Psalm, something she wanted to do. She prayed to God, and recited them each day. She called God her “Friend” and her “Shepherd”. In her last days, Pastor Eric visited about a week before her passing, administered the Sacrament of Holy Communion and prayed with her and anointed her head with oil. He also read her favorite, the 23rd Psalm, to her. She exclaimed “ This is so Special” and “ I am so Happy today”. He asked her what she was looking most forward to about Heaven, and she responded with “Oh, it’s a beautiful place.”

Joshua came and sang for her the day before she died. He sang the “Lord’s Prayer” and Sandy found herself recording it and was able to play it for her during her last hours. Each time she heard it, it calmed her greatly. Mom’s faith at 97 years of age was simple, childlike and beautiful to witness. And witness she indeed would do.

One day during the lockdown, she asked an aide to pray with her. The young lady did as they held hands in silent prayer. That same aide, who we later learned was Jessica, came to Mom’s room on May 13th hours before her passing and prayed again for her. Sandy was finally able to meet Jessica as they both prayed.

I will close with this. Mom’s witness continues in death as in her life. A nurse in the North wing who cared for Mom sent an email to Sandy and with HOLLY’S permission, I will share it: “ My family heard about some of my residents and Shirley was one that my family knew of. When I learned of her passing, I cried…..I’ve only cried over about 4 or 5 people ever. And I love them all, just don’t know some as well as others. There are some people who stand out for what ever reason that you just adore their soul. Your Mom was one. And I am so thankful she’s smiling from above now.”

Yes, our Mom is smiling from above now in perfect peace and joy, as she joins in, as Scripture says, “ That great cloud of witnesses” and chorus of angels and saints singing praises to her King of Kings and Lord of Lords and we can all with grateful hearts say: AMEN. WE LOVE YOU MOM and will miss you until we meet again.

Favorite photos of her life: