Shirley Anne Alessi

Shirley Alessi, age 89, of Pontiac, Michigan, passed away peacefully with family surrounding her on May 30, 2024.

Shirley is survived by her loving husband Robert (Bob) of 68 years, her eight children including;  Joe ( Shirley) Alessi, Tony (Lauren) Alessi, Greg (Dee) Alessi, Vince ( Gretchen) Alessi, Beth (Bryan) Beyer, Grace (Chris) Elkins, Andy (Tricia) Alessi and Larry (Jen) Alessi.  She is also survived by her 20 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren plus many nieces and nephews. She cherished and loved each one of them.

Shirley is preceded in death by her parents, Leon and Grace Kramer and sister, Lois Reynolds.

Shirley was a lifetime Pontiac resident, graduating from the original Pontiac High School in 1953.  She worked at the Oakland Press while attending University of Detroit. Shirley also studied Theology at Orchard Lake St. Mary’s.

Shirley met the love of her life, Bob and married in 1955. Together, Shirley and Bob bought their lifelong home in Pontiac where they proceeded to raise their beautiful family of eight children.  Shirley and Bob were the epitome of a hardworking, loving couple, who were kind and thoughtful to everyone they met.

Shirley enjoyed her family, cooking, gardening ,reading and loved taking trips throughout the state . Shirley was also an active member of the St. Vincent De Paul Alter Society.

Shirley was the homeroom mom, the scout mom, the cookie mom, the athletic mom; she never missed her kids’ events at school or church.  She taught her children the value of hard work and importance of responsibility. Each of her children had a paper route, walking the streets of Pontiac, collecting money for their routes. Along their paper routes, the kids would find stray animals, brought them home and she always accepted them into the family.

After her children graduated high school, Shirley went on to become the Religious Education Director at St. Vincent de Paul Church for two decades.   Shirley genuinely loved interacting with her colleagues, families and children at St. Vincent De Paul Church.

Shirley was the matriarch to our “Alessi Family” she will truly be missed . She passed on so many wonderful traits to her entire family. We all have a piece of Shirley in our hearts.

The family will receive friend on Monday, June 3, 2024 from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Sparks-Griffin Funeral Home, Pontiac Chapel. Rosary prayers are to be said on Monday, June 3, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. at Sparks-Griffin Funeral Home, Pontiac Chapel. Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, June 4, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Damien of Molokai Parish - St. Vincent De Paul Church, 46408 Woodward Ave., Pontiac, MI  48342