Shirley May Brunner, 65 years old, of Spring City, Utah, returned to her Heavenly home on Jan. 27, 2017, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Shirley was born in Santa Monica, Calif. to Maslen and Louise Cain on June 27, 1951. She was married for time and all eternity to Thomas George Brunner at the Los Angeles Temple and resided in Tehachapi, Calif. for 32 years.
Together they had three boys: Jason (Megan), Steven, and Jesse (Kayla). Shirley obtained a degree in biology and taught 8th grade science for 20 years in Rosamond, Calif. She had a great love for all knowledge, including the sciences and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
After retirement, Shirley and Tom moved to Spring City, and spent many years making their home a beautiful place where all could come to enjoy each other and be together. Shirley always had a love for cooking and entertaining family and friends in her home. A natural in the kitchen, she just “knew what tasted good.”
Shirley was preceded in death by her father and brother-in-law, Leon Dries. She is survived by her husband and three sons, her mother, and four siblings: Carolyn Bartholomew, Margaret Dries, David Cain, and Barbara Chapman. She is also survived by her five grandchildren, who were the joy of her life: Ryley, Logan, Carson, Danielle, and Sienna.
A graveside service will be held at the Spring City Cemetery on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2017, at 11 a.m.
We will always remember Shirley as a hard worker, who loved gardening and nurturing her spring flowers. She was an amazing chef who thrived when people came together as family and friends to enjoy food. She believed that food and music were the universal language that brought people together. In her last days battling cancer, she said, “Today, it’s come what may and love it! I am not fearful anymore and I have learned to appreciate each day as a great gift.”
