Shirley Ann Grow

Shirley Ann Grow, age 88, went home to be with Jesus on June 23, 2026.

Shirley loved Jesus and faithfully testified throughout her life to His goodness and faithfulness. Her life was a beautiful reflection of Christ's redeeming love. She also had a lifelong passion for missions, having come to know the Lord through the ministry of missionaries in Seldovia, Alaska.

Shirley was born on February 5, 1938, in Kenai, Alaska, to Jacob and Pauline Edelman. She was later joined by her sister, Jacqueline, and brother, Richard. The family lived on the Kenai Peninsula in both Kenai and Seldovia. Her father was a pioneer fisherman, and Shirley spent many summers at fish camps, cooking on a wood stove and washing clothes in a tub with a washboard.

At the age of 13, Shirley was the sole survivor of an airplane accident that claimed the lives of her mother, sister, and three others when their plane crashed into Seldovia Bay during takeoff. After recovering from her injuries, she had to grow up quickly, helping care for her father and younger brother. Shirley spent her high school years in Seattle living with Myrtle and Ella Kvelstad, sisters of one of the missionaries who helped care for her after the accident. She returned to Alaska each summer to be with her dad and brother at the fish camps.

While living in Seattle, Shirley attended Crown Hill Church of the Nazarene, where she met Ronald Grow, a student at Seattle Pacific College. Soon after, they married and began their life together. Following Ron's graduation from dental school, the young family moved to Moses Lake, Washington, before Ron was drafted into the U.S. Army. They spent four years at Fort Eustis, Virginia, where Shirley often recalled both the challenges they faced and the lifelong friendships they made. In 1966, they settled in Grandview, where they built their home and life together. Ron and Shirley shared 61 wonderful years of marriage. Shirley was Ron's beloved "princess," a title she wore with delight.

Shirley was a loving homemaker, while also serving as the bookkeeper for Ron's dental practice over the years. She was an active member of P.E.O. and Christian Women's Club, cherishing the friendships and opportunities to encourage other women through both organizations.

A lifelong member of Grandview Church of the Nazarene, Shirley faithfully served as missionary society president, church board member, choir member, and Sunday school teacher. Her faith was evident not only in the positions she held but in the quiet, consistent way she loved and served others. Shirley believed that serving the church was her way of honoring the Lord.

Her family was her greatest treasure. Shirley was a devoted mother whose greatest joy was her ten grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren. She loved sewing, cross-stitching, and crocheting, and she was known for always having a full cookie jar—usually filled with her famous homemade chocolate chip cookies—for anyone who stopped by. Shopping was one of Shirley's favorite “hobbies.” Her best day included a trip "to town"-Yakima or the Tri-Cities- with her girlfriends to shop, enjoy lunch together, and return home with her latest finds. Always impeccably dressed, she had a gift for style and made sure Ron looked equally dapper. Shirley was also a true Starbucks Queen, never passing up an opportunity to meet her family and friends for a coffee date.

Shirley is survived by her children, Tim and Gina Grow, David and Bev Grow, and Sarah and Jim Schmahl; her grandchildren, Kevin (Becca), Linsley (Jeff), Lander (Katie), Allison (Michael), Lauren (Tyler), Hannah (Jacob), Emma, Anna, Jaki, and Ryan; and her eighteen great-grandchildren: Marquise, Chenetta, Ava, Ruby, Nicol, Kinsley, Harvey, Makenzie, Hudson, Griffin, Henry, Heidi, Eamon, Quentin, Benjen, Ellis, Cal, and Baby Scott.

Our family would like to thank the wonderful staff of Prosser Sun Terrace for their compassionate care of our mom. We are so very grateful.

A celebration of Shirley's life will be held on Friday, July 10, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Grandview Church of the Nazarene, 500 North Elm Street, Grandview, Washington.

Memorial contributions may be given to Grandview Church of the Nazarene Missions.

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