Shirley Yvonne Killian

Shirley Yvonne Killian, 85, of Denver, passed away September 11, 2019.

She was born August 14, 1934 in Milton, Pennsylvania, the daughter of William and Myrtle (Woodruff) Derr. She attended Milton High School. On December 20, 1952 Shirley married Ernest Ray Killian in Milton, Pennsylvania. In 1962 they relocated to Colorado when Ray was transferred there for his job with Honeywell.

Shirley worked for the Denver Public Schools as a Lunch Room Assistant for over 30 years. She loved being around the students, teachers, and her coworkers. Shirley was an excellent cook, she would start out with a recipe but then add her own special touches to make the dish her own. Shirley liked to entertain her family and guests, she would always make sure that everyone felt welcome and well accommodated. Being the youngest of ten children, Shirley loved going back to her home state of Pennsylvania to visit family. She enjoyed traveling in general, especially to destinations that included a beach. Shirley was also an avid reader, had an enthusiasm for music, she was a dog lover, and a proud mother and grandmother (nana). Above everything else in life, Shirley loved spending time with her family and friends.

Shirley attended The Old Country Church in Lakewood.

Shirley is survived by her husband, Ernest Ray Killian; daughter, Michelle (Tom) Hannigan; sister, Gladys (Ed) Ulmer; and two grandchildren, Ryan (Brianne) Hannigan and Kyle Hannigan; and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, Myrtle B. and William C. Derr; siblings, Betty Wagner, Leah Neyhart, Phyllis Pricher, Pauline Fetzer, Phillip Derr, Miriam Smith, William Derr Jr., and James Derr.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Shirley's name to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, PO Box 50, Memphis, TN 38101-9929 or please visit their website at stjude.org/givehope.

To share a memory of Shirley or leave a special condolence message for her family, please visit the guestbook below.