Shirley A. Trombley

Shirley A. Trombley, age 91, of Escanaba, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 4, 2023 at OSF St. Francis Hospital in Escanaba, surrounded by her children, after a 3-year battle with cancer. She was born into a family of 12 children on April 24, 1931 in Escanaba, the daughter of Edmund and Anna Alvina (Hall) Day. Shirley was raised and attended school in Escanaba where she was a 1949 graduate of Escanaba High School. The former Shirley Day married John Keith Trombley on August 18, 1951 in Escanaba and he preceded her in death in 1998. Together, the couple shared 47 years of marriage and raised 4 children, Curt, Alan, Diane, and Kathy in the Flat Rock area. Shirley was a homemaker for most of her life and spent many hours volunteering to help at the public schools with the PTA and helped collect donations for the American Cancer Society. She and her family always went camping and boating at various Michigan lakes during the summertime – even though she never learned how to swim. Family gatherings were very important – annually as well – as Shirley was from a large family and the Trombley brothers also all stayed close to one another. Shirley and her husband also bowled on leagues for many years and she often helped out as the secretary. Shirley and John relocated to Arkansas in the early 1980s due to John’s occupation at a paper mill. The couple enjoyed living there and making lifelong friends. In 1989, they purchased and renovated a cottage in Nahma and moved back to the area full-time. Shirley and John loved living in Nahma and the small community aspect. The lake property is still owned by the Trombley family and continues to be a fun gathering place for summer picnics, camping, campfires, and games for all. Shirley and John would also take their fifth wheel in the winters to various locations in the southern U.S. In 1997, they decided to move closer to town and settled in Soo Hill. Later in life after Shirley was widowed, she spent years going to cards playing 500 with lady friends and Smear with her family.

Shirley is survived by her children, Curt Trombley of Soo Hill, Alan (Maxine) Trombley of Soo Hill, Diane Gobert of Gladstone, and Kathy Trombley of Escanaba; 10 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; sister, Bertha Wurl of Tomahawk, WI; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, Shirley was preceded in death by daughter-in-law, Esther Trombley; son-in-law, Gary Gobert; infant great-grandson, Edward Trombley; and 10 siblings.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday, January 9, 2023 at the Anderson Funeral Home in Escanaba. Funeral services celebrating the life of Shirley will follow at 3:00 p.m., Monday, in the Anderson Funeral Home Chapel with Father James Ziminski officiating. A reception will be held at the conclusion of the services in the Anderson Funeral Home Reception Room. Burial will take place in the Gardens of Rest Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials please be directed to the Delta County Cancer Alliance. 

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