COVID-19 leaves a lasting legacy
Gary’s Black population hit hard; Lake County has had 887 deaths
Because of fears over the spread of the virus, Shirley Kirklen’s family couldn’t be in her Hammond hospital room as she battled COVID-19 last summer.
When she was first hospitalized, her son said no one was allowed to visit.
“I was allowed to FaceTime with her,” said her son, James Kirklen.
At Franciscan Health Hammond since June, Shirley Kirklen was on and off a ventilator until she died July 11 of COVID-19 at age 75. Her son said she also suffered complications from diabetes.
As she neared the end,
James Kirklen said he was able to see his mom wave and nod her head from a glass window in a room outside near her hospital bed.
“My ma wasn’t just my ma, she was my best friend,” said Kirklen, a retired Gary firefighter who now teaches and coaches in Dallas, Texas. “Whenever I was in doubt, she gave me guidance and reassurance …”
While it seems to be in retreat now, COVID-19 has killed more than 520,000 Americans and
infected 29 million since its onset one year ago.
As Hoosiers receive vaccinations, concern is ramping up over new variants that could hinder progress.
Blacks and Hispanics have been disproportionately impacted by the deadly virus. In Gary, city officials said the most recent death count is 147, or about 17% of Lake County’s latest total of 887 deaths.
In Gary, the majority who died were Blacks and 33% of the deaths were in the 46404 ZIP code, where about 93% of residents are Black and the median household income is $32,000, according to census data.
Gary ministers have performed dozens of funerals for church members lost to the virus.
Pa st o r Norman Hairston heads Zion Progressive Cathedral International Church, where Shirley Kirklen attended since 1953.
He grew up with Kirklen’s sons and their families remain close. He officiated at her July 18 funeral, another rite made devastatingly difficult by the virus.
“Pastor did all precautions we could to allow family members to come in,” said Kirklen. “Everyone was masked up …”
Hairston described Shirley Kirklen, a 1962 Tolleston High graduate, as a pillar in the church community, volunteering for luncheons and other events.
“She was always at church,” remembered James Kirklen, who became a big brother to Shannon Vinson in 1977, his mom’s second child.
“She was part of the usher board, and very active. She would help cook and serve. Whatever went on at church, she was a part of it.”
After James Kirklen’s father died in 1971, Shirley Kirklen worked at U.S. Steel for 35 years. She also enjoyed participating in the Red Hat Society, a social organization for women, and attending athletic events.
“She was at every game supporting me and my brother… and her grandkids,” said Kirklen. She was a big Chicago Bulls fan and preferred the Pittsburgh Steelers in football.
Her son said she enjoyed riding on the back of her late fiance’s motorcycle and even talked about getting her own scooter.
Kirklen moved to Texas three years ago after he retired from the Gary Fire Department.
He’s now speaking out against Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s recent lifting of the state’s mask mandate, saying state regulation was no longer required. On March 2, reports showed the state was averaging 200 deaths a day over the previous week and less than 7% of Texans were vaccinated.
“I don’t understand it,” said Kirklen. “It’s bad enough our old president didn’t do any better leading us … I want to say this is nothing to joke about.”