Shirley A. Armstrong

Shirley A. Armstrong, of Thomson, IL, passed away Friday, June 23 surrounded by her family, at Rock River Hospice and Home. A celebration of Shirley’s life will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Saturday, July 15, at Morrison-Rockwood State Park. Inurnment will take place at a later date at Chapel Hill Cemetery in Dixon, IL. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Rock River Hospice and Home.

Shirley was born September 30, 1934, daughter of Arthur and Elinor (Boyer) Kennedy. She grew up in rural Erie, IL, and attended grade school in a one room school house between Erie and Albany. Shirley attended high school at Erie High School, and graduated with the class of 1952. After graduating she moved to Dixon, IL, where she began work at the Dixon Co-Op. She began as a bookkeeper, but over the years was promoted to the general manager position. Shirley stayed at the Dixon Co-Op for over 30 years. In Dixon, Shirley met Gerald “Gene” Smith, whom she would later marry in 1953. Together, Shirley and Gerald had five children. Later in life Shirley would meet Ken Armstrong. The couple would marry in 1974. Shirley and Ken celebrated 29 years of marriage, until Ken’s passing in 2003.

Later in life Shirley moved to Thomson, IL. Shirley became an active member of the community, as a member of the Thomson Women’s Club, Thomson-Village Quilters, and the book clubs through the library. Shirley loved spending her time reading, especially mysteries. Throughout her life Shirley was always knitting, crocheting, sewing, or quilting. Her kids remember the matching clothes she would make them every year as they grew up. She liked to travel any chance she could including trips to Ireland, Hawaii, and Austria, as well as camping trips with family.

At the center of Shirley’s life was her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was a caring mother who would do anything for her family. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were her pride and joy. Spending time with them was what she loved most of all.

Shirley will be dearly missed by her daughters, Colleen (Ken) Westendorf of Effingham, IL, Rosemary (Rick) Hall of Esmond, IL, and Valerie (Steve) Geary of Thomson, IL; daughter-in-law, Linda Smith of Honesdale, PN; 21 grandchildren and 32 great grandchildren; five brothers, Wayne (Pat) Kennedy of Erie, IL, Gary (Denise) Kennedy of Albany, IL, Ralph Kennedy of Prophetstown, IL, Dale (Bonny) Kennedy of Garden Plain, IL, and Steve (Susie) Kennedy of Milledgeville, IL; four sisters, Nancy Pratt of Erie, IL, Joyce Robins of Sabula, IA, Janet (Guy) Price of Albany, IL, and Beverly Decker of Rock Falls, IL;

Shirley is preceded in death by her husband, Ken; two sons, Keith and Scott; and three grandchildren, Kindra Westendorf, and infant twins, Barbara and Laura Westendorf.