Shirley M. (Smitas) Thiel, 94, passed away peacefully at home on July 2, 2024 in Peoria, Arizona. She was a loving mother to five children: Michael (Kathy), David, Linda (Rob Ballweber) Damlich, Kenneth (Kim), and Amy Bennett; grandmother to thirteen; great grandmother to twenty; dear aunt and devoted friend to many.

Shirley was born in Chicago, May 27, 1930, during the Great Depression, to Peter and Anna (Bachar) Smitas, a sister to Richard and Marilyn. Upon graduating from St. Mary’s all-girls Catholic High School, she worked as an administrative assistant in downtown Chicago. 

After marrying Frank Thiel in 1950, Shirley served as a military spouse while living in Fort Gordon, Augusta, Georgia.  Following her husband’s overseas tour of duty, the young couple returned to Chicago and started a family.

In 1963, the family moved to Sleepy Hollow, Illinois, where Shirley raised her children as a stay-at-home mother. In addition to her mothering responsibilities, Shirley did volunteer work at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church. Just as important as her family, Shirley was a life-long devout Catholic.

In 1977, the family moved to Farmington Hills, Michigan, where Shirley began a new phase of her life. In addition to caring for her youngest child and grandchildren, she became very involved with St. Fabian Church. Among her many volunteer activities, Shirley administered the church’s financial assistance program, delivered donated loaves of bread to those less fortunate, wrote Christmas cards to overseas military personnel, and brought communion to the homebound. 

Shirley enjoyed many social and sport activities, including bridge parties, bowling, tennis, hiking, and x-country skiing. Even in her final days, Shirley maintained her sweet smile, sense of humor, and a genuine appreciation for the love and care provided by her daughters. She leaves us with many wonderful memories and will be missed by her family and friends.

Shirley’s Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, July 27th, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Fabian Catholic Church, 32200 W 12 Mile Rd., Farmington Hills. She will be laid to rest in Clarendon Hills Cemetery in Darien, Illinois.