Shirley Ann Harding AuxTinee

Shirley Harding AuxTinee, 75, of Benton Harbor, passed away, Wednesday, May 14, 2014 at her home surrounded by her loving family. Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, May 17 at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, 555 E. Deleware, Benton Harbor, with Fr. William J. Jacobs officiating.  The Rosary will be recited at 10:30 A.M. Saturday preceding the Mass.  Private burial will take place at a later date.  Memorial donations may be made to Seven Stars Pet Rescue, Hospice at Home, or Lake Michigan Catholic Girls Basketball.  Those wishing to sign Shirley’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Shirley was born April 3, 1939 in St. Louis, Missouri to John & LaVera (Erlinger) Harding.  She graduated from St. John’s High School in St. Louis.  Shirley spent much of her life working in the flower industry, first at Kerley’s House of Flowers in St. Joseph, then as owner/operator of the original Flowerland on Pipestone Rd. in Benton Harbor.  She later worked at Gast Manufacturing from where she retired in 2006.  She was a member of St. John-St. Bernard Parish.  Shirley enjoyed Notre Dame sports and especially enjoyed watching her grandchildren’s sports.  She was a devoted Catholic and was always helping others. Shirley is survived by her best friend and soul mate of 40 years, Mara Lee Marshall; children, Suzanne Marie Ritter (Stuart Endsley) of Coloma and her children, Aaron Edwards and Allison Kniebes, Eugene Pierre AuxTinee, Jr. (Janet Owsianka) of Coloma, Senator Anna Marie (Fred) Rivers of La Center, Washington, and their children, Rex and Derick Rivers, Jeanette (Scott) Conklin of St. Joseph and their children, Lukas Visin, and Caleb and Andy Conklin. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Michelle AuxTinee Allison on Aug. 21, 2013, whose children, Melissa Jordan, Caroline Allison, William Allison, III, Katy Allison, and her partner Lonnie Wilson survive; eleven great-grandchildren; sister, Alice La Chance of St. Louis, Missouri; a brother, William Harding of House Springs, Missouri, her special St. Louis nieces and nephews who were always in her heart; and her faithful canine companion, “Phoebe”. In addition to her parents and daughter, she was preceded in death by her siblings, John “Jack” Harding and Marilyn Zimmer Srnec.