Shirley Ann Wiggin

August 4, 2026, Shirley Ann Woolington broke free from her frail frame, allowing her spirit to soar freely as she ascended to meet God in her heavenly form. Shirley was born May 5, 1936, in Burns, Wyoming to parents Roy and Hazel (Kelly) Woolington. She had a younger brother, Jim. The Woolington family raised wheat and cows north of Burns.

Shirley attended Egbert School in Egbert, Wyoming. Following graduation from Egbert School, she attended the University of Wyoming in Laramie. She was an active member of the UW marching band, playing the tuba, and was a member of the Chi Omega Sorority and held many honors and leadership roles in campus groups. She was nominated as one of three Sno-Queen finalists for the UW Sno-Ball Festival. Shirley was active in 4H and upon graduation from UW with a degree in home economics, she was chosen to participate in a trip to India with the 4H International Farm Youth Exchange. She traveled on a large passenger ship for several weeks to get to India and again for the return trip home. Quite an adventure for a young ranch girl from Burns! She met her first husband, Lester Brown, at the National 4H Center in Washington, DC while giving a dissertation on her adventures and experiences in India. She was unassuming, but her time living in the Washington DC area was one of elegant parties and meeting dignitaries from all over the world. Her genuine easy nature won her many friends from all walks of life.

She worked as a 4-H extension agent in Maryland and then at the American Dairy Council in Virginia until the birth of their son, Brian, after which she devoted herself to being a full-time mother. Five years later, they welcomed Brenda to the family.

After 14 years of big city life, Shirley returned to her roots, moving back to Burns with her children. She taught Home Economics and Art and served as the Guidance Counselor at Pawnee School in Grover where she met and married Leonard Wiggin. They were married at the Bashor Ranch by Reverend Gertrude Horn. Leonard and Shirley both taught school at Pawnee and ran a cow calf operation.

Her Bachelor Living class for senior boys was famous for making sure the young men knew how to cook eggs, sew on a button and hem a pair of pants among other life ready skills. She cared deeply for her students and made sure no child young or old ever lacked the basic necessities or felt unwanted. The students and faculty at Pawnee loved her fun-loving, vivacious attitude and willingness to always participate in faculty led comedy skits at pep assemblies or sewing costumes for plays or planning menus for community meals.

Shirley had a flair for entertaining, being an excellent, creative cook and welcoming hostess. She had pizzaz! She passed on generational knowledge. Cooking, sewing, food preservation, music, china painting, painting with acrylics and oil, she shared her skills with anyone who was interested. She made special efforts to whip up a homemade delicacy to welcome newcomers to the community or support someone who needed encouragement.

She believed strongly in the value of the 4H organization and her role as a 4H leader to prepare young people to be good citizens. Shirley worked tirelessly with the Pawnee Historical Society, being the last living charter member, helping preserve the Grover Depot, turning it into a museum filled with local treasures of the surrounding communities’ history. As an active member of the Weld County Cattlewomen’s organization, she helped with fundraising for scholarships offered to young people pursuing a degree in the field of agriculture. And though not a Pawnee Alumnus, she served for many years as the historian for the group. As if she wasn’t busy enough, Shirley’s big love was playing the piano and organ and singing in the choir at the Hereford Community Church. It was a rare event for Shirley to miss a Sunday. She taught many young people to play the piano. Her love of music began early in life and carried on to the end of her life. Just weeks before her passing she sat in the pew of the Friendship Alliance Church in Grover humming and singing hymns with the congregation. The words were hard for her to read in the hymnal, but who needs a hymnal when words and tunes are in your heart! She spent many years singing with the Prairie Songbirds, performing musical programs around Weld County. A fun group that was no work and just a good time was the Shirley Club. Yep, there was only one requirement to be a member.

She supported Brian and Brenda in all their activites and travelled endless miles to be their number one supporter. A phrase that keeps coming up in remembering Shirley is that ‘she was a great mom’ and grandma. She taught, she mentored, she encouraged, she forgave, she laughed, she never judged. Being an amazing mom to Brian and Brenda also spilled over to the countless young people she encountered. She mothered them all. Shirley and Leonard especially loved attending school, 4H, FFA and sporting events of grandchildren Bridget, Lena, Cash and even great granddaughter Eliza. If there was a vehicle going to an event, you can be sure she was in it!

She adored her three great granddaughters, Eliza, Wren and Taylor and treasured the time spent with them in her home and at family gatherings. They loved Grammie. She knew how to captivate them. Wren thought she had the prettiest shirts!

She knew she was fortunate, the men in her family would jump in to help, no matter what she needed.

Shirley is remembered as a beautiful soul. She could be feisty, but mostly she was kind, respectful, generous and always cheering for those who needed a helping hand. She welcomed everyone with a big smile into her home. There were no strangers. She lived her life with grace, kindness and forgiveness.

Shirley is preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Hazel Woolington, and husband, Leonard Wiggin. She is survived by her son, Brian Brown (Kathy Landry) of Durango; Brenda (Chris) Haun of Grover; grandchildren and great grandchildren Bridget (Dylan) Rose, Eliza of Grover; Lena (Austin) Burentt, Wren and Taylor of Grover; and Cash Haun of Grover. Shirely is also survived by her brother Jim (Pat) Woolington of Kerrville, TX; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Help us celebrate Shirley’s life August 14th at the Pawnee School in Grover at 11 am. You are encouraged to wear bright colors. Snazzy clothes and bright colors were Shirley’s signature.