Shirley Louise Corcoran

Shirley Manning was born December 27, 1935, and raised in Downtown Detroit, Michigan. She particularly loved her father, Bryce, and his very varied work experiences and stories as did her children, James and Michael. They all spent as much time as possible with Bryce. While growing up, Shirley learned a lot from her mother, Louise, and during her mother’s later years, Shirley became her caregiver. She attended an all-girls commerce high school in Detroit. She met her first husband, Jim Demetri, during her teenage years and she got married at age 19. They were proud of raising their two children, James and Michael. Jim had one sister, Sissy, who continued to always be a part of Shirley’s life. Her granddaughter, Gabrielle, from her oldest son Jim, was one of the brightest lights of her life. She thoroughly enjoyed their time together and all of their wild escapades. Gabrielle often gave “Pretty One” special gifts, including unique frogs for her collection, and special notes sporadically and secretly placed throughout the house. Shirley was particularly proud to be in attendance at the wedding of Gabrielle and Lucas Kuzala with Gabrielle’s Godmother Judy and her best friend Brianne, as her Maid of Honor, both in attendance. Shirley and Pete Corcoran got married in the music room at the Henry Ford Fairlane Estate, November 6, 1992, and were truly blessed and happy for more than 29 years. Jim and Mike presented Shirley at the wedding and Pete’s two sons, Timothy and Marc were his best men at the wedding. Timothy also gave an inspired toast to the wedding guests. Shirley had a unique and wonderful work history. She worked for many years at the Henry Ford Fairlane Estate. She thoroughly enjoyed her years at the estate, starting as a volunteer and then as a Staff Member for many years. She always said it was not a job - it was something that she enjoyed and wanted to do. Shirley also worked at the Penobscot Building in Detroit performing accounting activities. Volunteer work was also incredibly important to Shirley. She devoted many of her years to volunteer work. She spent countless hours with school systems in Dearborn Heights with ties to her children and grandchildren. Her favorite church, the Warren Valley United Methodist Church, and Oakwood Hospital were both also the recipient of her volunteer services. Shirley had a wonderful and very fulfilling personal life. She was an avid reader and always enjoyed time with her husband. One of their favorite pastimes was watching Hallmark movies together. During her early years, she loved her summers in West Virginia and made many friends there. She loved regularly visiting Pete’s immediate family on the East Coast from his mother and her 5 children to the many nephews/nieces and additional children. “Queenie” was one of her all-time favorite people along with “BAA”. She also enjoyed traveling through the USA with her husband, often trailing in the footsteps of Timothy with his many relocations across country. Although not known to be “sportsie”, she rode horses, went deep sea diving, skiing, ice-skating, roller-skating, taking dangerous airplane rides, enjoying ballooning and even attending football games. Shirley loved spending time with her family. Quality coffee time with son Jim and Gabrielle were a regular occurrence. She also spent time with Marc during younger days, touring estate grounds, visiting Cranbrook, and many other sites. Entertaining, feeding, and raising hordes of youngsters that were friends of Jim and Mike was also very commonplace. Shirley was a lifetime pet owner, lover, and supporter with her current favorite being Gabrielle's “Trevor”. Her family doctor, Doctor Kaddoura, said “she was a person of rare value to the world”. A private service has been held and Shirley’s ashes will be spread over the graves of her mom, dad, husband Jim, and son Mike.