Monday, August 24th, 2020
Shirley Larimer
Shirley Kay Larimer (nee Rawers), age 85, of Lake Forest, passed away peacefully on August 21, 2020. She was born June 7, 1935, in Mendon, Ohio, daughter of the late Arlington J. & Jean Rawers. Shirley was preceded in death by her husband of 46 years, Wendell Stancill Larimer.
Shirley is survived by her two children Dru Anne Smyth and Thomas Larimer (Juliann), of Lake Forest; six grandchildren: Aubrie, Robbie, and Jackson Smyth and Emelia, Sarah, and Victor Larimer; and other cousins, in-laws, a niece and nephew.
Shirley grew up in Celina, Ohio and was a proud graduate of The Ohio State University. She moved to Boston to continue her graduate studies where she met the love of her life, Stan Larimer. She and Stan were married in 1959 in Celina and his career at Scott Paper took them from Pennsylvania to New York, Ohio, Michigan and eventually the northern suburbs of Chicago where they retired to be near family. During those years, in addition to raising her family, Shirley worked as a pharmaceutical sales representative for Doresy Laboratories.
Besides her devotion to her family, as an avid reader, Shirley enjoyed working part-time at the Northbrook Public Library for over 10 years, where she had many good friends. She also enjoyed art, traveling, yoga, and sailing on Lake Geneva first as part of the Keelboat Club at George Williams College and then the Lake Geneva Yacht Club. She and Stan spent many wonderful summers hosting family and friends at their cottage at the Harvard Club in Fontana, Wisconsin.
She will be missed for her quick wit, lovely laugh, and curious mind. Shirley loved baking and crafting with her grandchildren; and as they got older, attending their sporting and musical events, one of the joys of having her so near.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to Sonia, Valerie, Audrey, Susan and the many other caregivers and therapists who provided invaluable care to Shirley over the last several years, allowing her to remain in her home.
A celebration of Shirley's life will be held later this year.
