Shirley J. Smith

Shirley J. Smith of Sisters died February 16, after a seven-month bout with cancer. She was 70.

Ms. Smith was born August 13, 1935 in Dallas, to Alfred and Evelyn (Coon) Powell.

She married Ralph Duncan in 1950. They later divorced.

She lived in Salem most of her life. She worked at Vern’s Cafe in Salem for 10 years. In 1986 she moved to Independence, where she opened up a housekeeping business, Shirley’s Housecleaning Service, which she operated for 17 years before retiring in 2003. She moved to Sisters in 2004 to live with her daughter Susanne and son-in-law Terry.

Shirley enjoyed gardening, animals and getting to know the people of her community. She will be most remembered for her smile and laugh. Her family and friends were very important to her.

She attended Sisters Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Shirley is survived by her daughter, Susanne Watson of Sisters; parents Alfred and Margueritte Powell of Lebanon; her sisters, Mona Moon of Salem, Virginia Grout of Union, Washington, and Joyce Ellison of Lebanon; grandchildren, Annette Schmitt of Salem, Michelle Glass of Coupeville, Washington, and Jeff Glass of Salem. She was especially fond of Corina VanBrunt of Crooked River Ranch whom she regarded as a granddaughter; and niece, Shelley VanAntwerp of Salem.

No services will be held per her request. Burial will be private.

Donations in Shirley’s memory may be made to Hospice of Redmond & Sisters.