Shirley Rose Ely

Shirley Rose Ely passed away on July 22 after a life filled with family, friends, travel adventures, community involvement, time in the mountains, and 63 years of marriage to her beloved Leonard Wheeler Ely, Jr.

Shirley was born in 1927 to Eileen and David Rose in Oakland, California. She grew up in the East Bay where she and her father spent many weekends riding horses in the hills, often riding all the way to their weekend home in what was then rural Walnut Creek. She attended Anna Heads School and Berkeley High School before entering Stanford as a Freshman in 1945. True to her independent spirit, Shirley insisted on driving herself to Stanford to move into her freshman dorm. There she met lifelong friends and, most importantly, Leonard who had just returned from serving in the Air Force during World War II. They met when Shirley, at 5’2” tall, was playing football and Leonard ran to help her after she was clipped by another player! They married in the Stanford Chapel in 1947 and lived in Menlo Park while Leonard completed his MBA at Stanford. After graduation they moved to the East Bay. Their son Leonard Wheeler Ely III (Len) was born in 1950 and their daughter Margaret Rose Ely (Maggie) in 1953.

In 1955 the family moved back to Palo Alto and a few years later into Leonard’s family home on Bryant Street. Their home became the hub for large family gatherings, and with her remarkable attention to detail and true eye for beauty, Shirley masterfully orchestrated many special celebrations for family and friends. Leonard and Shirley also opened their home for community events and no matter the audience, Shirley’s generous and gracious hospitality was legendary. She will be remembered for always being exquisitely put together whether to go fly fishing, out to lunch, or to a formal gala, her attire being secondary only to her radiant smile and personal warmth.

Shirley was a lifelong learner with an incredible memory, able to recall precise details of conversations, experiences, and relationships from decades earlier. She enjoyed bridge, the symphony, and skiing, and was involved with every aspect of her children’s lives. She volunteered for the Children’s Hospital through the Allied Arts Guild, the Red Cross, the Peninsula Ball for the benefit of Peninsula Family Service, and Planned Parenthood. Her greatest role, however, was that of being a perfect partner with Leonard and supporting his many business and community activities. Their shared love of travel took them all around the world. As devoted fans of Stanford, they did not miss a Stanford football or basketball game for decades, except when out of town.

Shirley and Leonard moved to the Vi in Palo Alto in 2009 where they joined many dear friends and met new friends from around the globe. After Leonard passed away in 2011, Shirley continued to be very active with the current events program, exercise, and her “Saturday Night Live” dinners with good friends at the Vi who were a constant support.

Every morning, Shirley checked the weather in all the cities where her family members and close friends lived (or were visiting) just so she would have a glimpse into their day. Her care and attention to detail imbued every part of her life and left an impression on all fortunate enough to have witnessed it.

Shirley was clearly delighted by all her grandchildren, Abby Pringle (Wes Brown), David Pringle (Sara), Will Pringle, and David Ely, and her great grandchildren, Wilder and Quinn Brown, and Oscar Pringle. Happily, she was able to enjoy celebrating Oscar’s first birthday just days before she passed away.

Shirley was preceded in death by her sister Jeanne Rose, her son David, her son-in-law Bob Pringle, and her husband Leonard. She is survived by her son Len (Mary), her daughter Maggie (Fred Grauer), and her four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Shirley’s family would like to thank the outstanding team that have lovingly supported her over the past years: Karen Eatinger, Jovit Uson, Amparo Banzon, and Enriqueta Noel.

A Celebration of Life will be held in early fall. Donations in Shirley’s memory may be made to Planned Parenthood Mar Monte, the Red Cross, Stanford University, or a non-profit of choice.