Obituary: Shirley Jean Groves

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Shirley Jean Groves, 70, died Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011, peacefully at her home in Lakeville, Minn., surrounded by family after a long and courageous battle with breast cancer.

Shirley began life in Braggadocio, Mo. on November 30, 1940. Born to a large, loving family, Shirley knew the meaning of resilience and the importance of love; values that would define her life as well as her passing.

Shirley is preceded in death by her parents, George Ash and Rillie Ash-Mitchum; five brothers, Elmer, Alvie, Franklin, Cletus, and J.B. Ash; as well as two sisters, Annie May and Margie Ann Ash. She is survived by her beloved siblings Opal Johnson (Taft, Calif.), Melvin Ash (Ruby) (Florissant, Mo.), Lula Hueppauff (Caruthersville, Mo.), and Freda Hite (St. Ann, Mo.).

Shirley leaves behind her devoted husband of more than 51 years, Thomas Alquire Groves, who was truly the great love of her life. She is survived also by two sons, Thomas, Jr. (Jacqueline) and Timothy (Heidi) Groves; daughter, Kelly (Eric) Groves-Olson; eight grandchildren, Sean Heath, Jennifer Groves, Tamara Groves, Amanda Groves, Amanda Gearty, Allison Groves, Fletcher Olson, Stella Olson; a great-grandson, Andrew Groves; five sisters-in-law, Virginia Ash, Edna Ash, Muriel Groves, Virginia Murray and Nina Breiner; a cherished brother-in-law, Larry Groves (Patti); and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Of the lessons that can be drawn from Shirley's life, none will resonate more than the example she set in her death. She faced the end with unparalleled strength, uncompromising dignity, and a deep, unblinking faith that carried her confidently from this life to the next. She will be loved and missed by a community of family and friends that remains grateful for the impact she had on their lives.

Visitation: 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2011, at Gill Brothers Funeral Home, 9947 Lyndale Ave. S., Bloomington, Minn. (952)888-7771, and for one-half hour before services on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2011, at the Lakewood Memorial Chapel. Funeral Service: 12 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2011, at Lakewood Memorial Chapel, 3600 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis, Minn.

Memorials preferred in her name to Fairview Hospice (www.fairview.org), or Angel Foundation (www.mnangel.org).