Shirley Ann Jayne

Shirley Ann Jayne, born Shirley Ann Weitz in Endicott, Wash., on April 17, 1933, to Henry Weitz and Leah Smick, passed away on July 16, 2024, in Grand Rapids, Mich., age 91, after having lived a long and happy life.

She is survived by her two children, Thom Jayne (and his spouse Kimm Jayne) of Grand Rapids, Mich., and Mark Jayne of Hendersonville, N.C., as well as six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, Bill, who passed in 2022, and with whom she enjoyed a remarkable marriage of almost 70 years.

She was a loving and wonderful wife and mother, an upbeat and cheerful friend to many, an adventurous and athletic woman who moved frequently in her early adulthood with her husband and family, but who always felt that the Pacific NW was her true home, and who lived in retirement for 30 years in Bend, Ore.

Shirley grew up in Endicott and Colfax, attended high school there (where she was the Whitman County high school tennis champion), and didn't move away until after her marriage to Bill in 1953. Bill was drafted the next year into the US Army and posted to Paris, where together they enjoyed what they always referred to as among the happiest times in their long marriage.

Returning to the US, they lived in Seattle for a short time before starting to move as his career advanced, first to California in the 1960s, then Illinois, Connecticut for many years, Maryland, Oregon in retirement, and finally Michigan in 2018 to be closer to family.

Throughout her long life, Shirley was an energetic and fit woman, enjoying not only tennis, but also skiing, golf, and when a shoulder injury prevented these sports, switched to walking / hiking and yoga. A gourmet cook, she enjoyed good food, conversation, and a nice glass of wine.

She and Bill traveled extensively throughout their lives, visiting six of seven continents (Antarctica was too far and too cold), often with family and friends, including numerous trips to Europe, and several memorable trips with their boys -- rafting on the Salmon River, ski trips to Colorado, and Hawaii.

Her last five years were difficult due to the progressive effects of dementia, but even then, her sunny disposition and innate friendliness were generally apparent. A full life, well-lived.

According to her wishes, in lieu of a memorial service, her ashes will be scattered by her sons in Bend, Ore.