Shirley Paidar Bogardus
2/08/1930 – 2/26/2021
Shirley Paidar Bogardus passed peacefully in her sleep on February 26, 2021.
Born February 8, 1930, Shirley Jean Paidar was the daughter of Hazel and Leonard Paidar and younger sister to Marilyn Paidar Wakefield. Shirley was raised in Winnetka, Illinois. After attending New Trier High School, Shirley headed west to attend University of Colorado, Boulder. At Boulder she joined the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority and the ski club.
After graduating from University of Colorado, Shirley headed further west to San Francisco, where she met her then future husband, Peter Bogardus. When Shirley returned to Chicago as she had promised her parents, Peter traveled by train to Illinois to meet Shirley’s parents and ask for her hand in marriage. They were married May 18, 1957. Peter and Shirley returned to California and settled in Mill Valley where they would live for over 50 years in the house they built. They raised their 3 children Betsyann, Andy, and Peter Jr. in Mill Valley. In 1968, Shirley, an adventurer at heart, convinced Peter to move to Europe with their three children. They bought a VW van and camped across Europe for three months before settling down for the school year in the Tyrol ski town of Kitzbuhel, Austria.
After returning to Mill Valley in 1969, Shirley dedicated her time to her family and to teaching about local ecosystems and environmental stewardship. She served as President of the Environmental Forum of Marin, as a board member of the California State Parks Foundation and as a board member of the Audubon Canyon Ranch Volunteer Council. She also was a member of the Mill Valley Outdoor Art Club, California Native Plant Society, the Mill Valley Historical Society, the Mill Valley PTA and Friends of Mill Valley Library. Shirley loved the natural environment on and around Mt. Tam and volunteered countless hours teaching children and adults to appreciate and love our natural surroundings. As a hobby, she raised bees and harvested honey in the 80’s and 90’s.
Shirley loved to hike and travel. She was part of a hiking group that travelled domestically and internationally visiting National Parks, etc. for over 35 years. She was also fortunate to have travel adventures with her family in India, China, South America, and Africa.
Shirley is predeceased by her husband Peter Bogardus, her parents Leonard and Hazel Paidar, her sister Marilyn (Paidar) Wakefield. She is survived by her three children Betsyann Gallagher (Bolinas), Andy Bogardus and his wife Kerry (Larkspur), Peter Bogardus Jr.(Mill Valley). Shirley is also survived by her four grandchildren, Ryan Gallagher (Ketchum, ID), Henry Bogardus (San Francisco), Natalie Bogardus (Seattle, WA) and Addison Bogardus Appleton (Crested Butte, CO.)
Shirley always a had a sparkle in eye and a smile on her face. She was rarely rattled. The most likely response she would give whenever asked how she was doing was “Wonderful.” Her family joked that her blood type was “B positive.”
Due to Covid, there will only be a small private celebration of Shirley’s life. Donations in Shirley’s memory can be made to The Marty Griffin Preserve, (previously known as Audubon Canyon Ranch) P.O. BOX 577, Stinson Beach CA 94970.