Shirley Dolores Blomquist

It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Shirley Blomquist. Shirley passed comfortably, surrounded by family, on May 21, 2025, in Colorado Springs, CO.

Shirley Dolores Jones was born on January 9, 1934, in Oakland, CA, the oldest of three children to Freeman and Veronica Jones. Shirley helped raise her two sisters, Valerie and Victoria, until she left home in 1953 to marry the man of her dreams.

On September 19, 1953, Shirley married Richard Blomquist, her husband of 58 years. Over the next 12 years, they had four children: Shirel, Raymond, Sheila, and Rodney. Starting their lives together in Oakland, CA, they moved to Fremont, CA, in 1963, San Leandro, CA, Hayward, CA, and eventually Shirley and Richard spent their retirement years in the beautiful wine country of Calistoga, CA.

Shirley’s professional career started at Western Electric in Emeryville, CA. After her last child was born, she started a 23-year career at Mervyn’s department store in San Lorenzo, CA. Shirley would also spend 8 years at Walmart as a department manager. While in Calistoga, Shirley also volunteered as a docent at the Sharpsteen Museum, and she was a greeter at the Calistoga Chamber of Commerce. At the age of 70, Shirley went back to work as an office manager at Silverado Orchards Retirement Home in St. Helena, CA (the home where her father was a resident until his passing), where she worked until she was 82.

In 1966, Shirley joined the Loyal Order of the Moose, a fraternal organization that gives back to its communities and supports charitable causes. Shirley spent over 40 years dedicating her time and efforts to the Moose Lodge and meeting countless friends along the way.

Shirley’s legacy will live on for generations to come with her four children, nine grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren, all of whom love their mother and Grammy so very much.