Shirley Anne Wells

Shirley Anne Wells, age 96, of Grand Haven, Michigan, passed away peacefully at her home on March 10, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family. Born on October 19, 1929, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to Albert Mason and Edna Etta (Carey) Mason, Shirley lived a full and remarkable life that spanned nearly a century of cherished memories, enduring relationships, and quiet strength.

Memories from daughter in law Elizabeth Wells. Sometime around 1999 I was hanging out with my friend Mike. We had traveled together to a kennel club event and when we pulled back into his driveway late Sunday afternoon he said, "I am going across the street to my parents for dinner. Do you want to come?" My reply was "Of course I would love to but I would not want to just show up uninvited."

He immediately assured me that his mother would not mind and he would call her. He did and I asked what she said. His answer was simple and to the point, "She said she will put on another potato".

Quite simply that was Shirley. Always welcoming everyone. A friend of her kids was a friend of hers. Another potato or two could always go in the oven and the table could be pulled out and chairs added. Sunday family meals were for everyone. Shirley was the peacemaker of the kingdom. If someone said something the others didn't like, she would say "Let them speak! They should be free to say what is on their mind just like the rest of you." We all knew it was time to listen.

On Monday we laid my mother-in-law Shirley Wells to rest at the local cemetery along with her late husband Leonard. It was very cold but our family and some close friends gathered around sharing hugs and a few tears. It was just like Shirley would have wanted. Her kids Linda, Ed and Mike, Andy (Linda's husband) and me and our dear friends. Later we celebrated Shirley with dessert at Russ's.

Shirley lived a long and mostly healthy life in West Michigan. Born in 1929 she saw a lot of changes over almost a century. Daughter of Edna and Albert Mason she was the oldest of two girls. Her sister Alice passed away a few years ago. Alice was a hoot! Lively and filled with mischief. She played the fiddle and just about any string instrument. I imagine growing up in the Mason family was always fun even during the depression.

Shirley married the love of her life a handsome sailor named Leonard Wells on June 8, 1957. They moved to Grand Haven in August of 1964.

And then in 1975 they built their home on Lincoln St. Edna Mason (Shirley's mom) lived across the street from Shirley and Leonard in the same house Mike and I lived in when we were first married. I swear the ghost of Edna was still there. Certainly some of her stuff was. In their ranch house Shirley and Len lived with the three Wells kids Linda, Ed and Mike. There were always friends, along with horses, dogs, chickens and cats. I heard a pony even came into the house one day.

Shirley was active in St John's Episcopal Church in Grand Haven. She worked in their thrift store for many years and attended faithfully. When Mike and I got married she welcomed my mom (a fellow Episcopalian )as a new friend. They could talk for hours about anything when my mom would visit.

In 2015 I took Shirley and my mother to Macinac Island. We stayed overnight and toured the island. What a fun trip that was. They chatted away and I was their chauffeur and tour director. It was honestly my pleasure and one of the most fun times ever!

Shirley loved to travel, she and her husband Leonard traveled to every duty station that her daughter Linda and Marine Corp husband Andrew were stationed at, Hawaii, California, Maryland and last to Texas.

When Linda and Andy sold their house in Texas, Linda moved in with Leonard and Shirley to care for them both, and was there taking care of Shirley in her final years. Mike and I (and the rest of the family) are forever grateful to Linda for her loving care.

We will celebrate Shirley's life at our home in June and invite family and friends from far and wide. Details will be shared at a future date.