Shirley Ann Rossi

San Francisco lost a lovely, gracious soul when Shirley Ann Rossi died peacefully surrounded by family on December 24, 2021, just six days shy of her 87th birthday. Born December 30, 1934, to native San Franciscans Fred and Mabel Tocchini, Shirley herself loved being a native San Franciscan and growing up in the Marina district. She attended Winfield Scott Grammar School, St. Bridget’s and Convent of the Sacred Heart High School, and Lone Mountain College for Women (now a part of USF). Shirley exemplified the grace and style of her great City and was immensely proud of her Italian heritage and her Catholic faith.

Shirley began dating the love of her life, Richard Rossi, after her sister introduced them at Johnson’s Beach on the Russian River. They were married in 1957. Richard was devoted to Shirley until his passing in 2009. Together they traveled, hosted many delightful dinner parties, and enjoyed a large community of friends. Shirley would be the first to say she had a very full and happy life. She enjoyed summers at the Russian River in Guerneville, golf and tennis weeks in Palm Springs, and traveling around the world. Her greatest joy was being a loving mother and grandmother.

Shirley was an excellent tennis player and a member of the SF Tennis Club for over 40 years. An accomplished bridge player, she played for over 60 years with the same ladies group who had met as newlyweds in Park Merced and continued meeting once a month for bridge until the Pandemic. At one point, she was on three tennis teams and a part of three bridge groups, simultaneously.

Shirley was blessed with a life of extraordinary friendships and was herself a wonderful friend, always kind and generous. She was a part of a few SF organizations including the Loyola Guild, Little Sisters of the Poor, and at one time she was very involved with the Little Children’s Aid. She was a member of St. Stephen’s Parish for over 50 years. Shirley loved San Francisco, often remarking that it was the only place she would ever want to live.

To her final days, she was deeply loyal and devoted to her family and friends, never losing the ability to remember them despite her battle with Alzheimer’s. Her family absolutely adored her. She is survived by her daughter, Suzanne Beach, son-in-law, David (Max) Beach, her two grandchildren, Allyson and Justin, nieces, nephews, and many cousins, all of whom held a special place in her heart. She was predeceased by her sister, Barbara McGovern.

A funeral mass is planned for Wednesday, January 26, 2022, at 2pm at St. Stephen’s Church, 451 Eucalyptus Dr., San Francisco. A reception will follow at The Olympic Club at Lakeside. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Stephen’s Church or Little Sisters of the Poor in San Francisco.