Plymouth - Our family is heartbroken to announce the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great grandmother, sister and friend. Shirley Ann Shook was born on August 15, 1942, in LaPorte, Indiana and passed away peacefully surrounded by family on December 24, 2025, at her home. She was known for her selflessness, her giving heart and the way she cared for others. Loving and giving, yet stubborn and stoic, she had a rare gift for making everyone feel welcome, heard and deeply loved.
Above all else, Shirley’s life revolved around her family. She had and showed absolute devotion to her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. The greatest days of her life were the days each of her four children were born. Thanksgiving 2025 will forever remain a treasured memory for her family, as it was the final holiday she spent talking, laughing and enjoying precious time with those she loved.
She was an avid reader who loved books, crocheting and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and the generations that followed. She enjoyed road trips and was a great navigator; her last family trip was to Yellowstone. Some of her favorite moments were spent sitting outside by the fire, enjoying a glass of wine, surrounded by her family. She also collected Snow Babies, loved a good stiletto and always brought laughter wherever she went. In her younger years, she loved doing the jitterbug with her best friend, Sandra.
Shirley was a nurse whose compassion and care left a lasting impact on our community and the patients who were lucky enough to have her as their nurse. Anyone who was fortunate enough to have her as their nurse consistently said she was the very best. Her dedication and camaraderie earned her the nickname “The Legend” at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Plymouth. Before she became a nurse, she worked at Young Door, Champion and Wagoner Wire, often joking she could make anyone a cabinet.
She was born in LaPorte, Indiana, raised in Knox, Indiana and later moved to Valparaiso, Indiana where she got married. A short time later, she moved to Plymouth, Indiana, which remained her home for the rest of her life. She graduated from Portage High School and decided in the early 90s to attend Indiana University South Bend, where she earned her Associate’s Degree in Nursing, a true testament to her determination and perseverance.
A devoted Catholic, Shirley attended St. Michael Catholic Church in Plymouth, Indiana. She proudly shared her faith with others and hoped they too would come to know and embrace the Catholic faith.
Her values were rooted in courage and bravery, tempered with stubborn resolve and deep compassion. She was known for saying “I love you more” which is a true testament to the way she lived, always giving more love than she ever asked for.
Shirley is survived by her four children, Tammy (John) Dominiack, Mike (Georjeta) Shook, David (Julie) Shook and Theresa Shook; 15 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren; and her brother, Donald (Barb) Webb.
She was preceded in death by her parents, John Andrew Webb and Eslie Viola Riggleman, as well as five brothers and four sisters.
Her legacy of love, faith, kindness and unwavering devotion to family will be deeply missed but will live on in all who were blessed to know her.
Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, December 29, 2025, at 2:30 p.m. at St. Michael Catholic Church, 612 N. Walnut Street, Plymouth, IN 46563. Friends are welcome to arrive beginning at 2:00 p.m and the Michiana Nursing Honor Guard will perform a ceremony at 2:15 p.m.
