Shirley A. Smith

Shirley Ann (DeCello) Smith, age 67, of Toledo, Ohio passed away peacefully at Cleveland Clinic on Saturday, April 25, 2015. Born January 10, 1948 to the late Joseph P and Emogene (Shoemaker- Hoyt) DeCello, Shirley was the youngest of five children. She was a 1966 graduate of Whitney Vocational School and enjoyed working with small children at the Toledo Day Nursery after graduation. Roller skating was a hobby that brought Shirley and her husband Dale together at the former Toledo Rollercade, and led to their marriage on April 16, 1968. That interest in skating continued with their involvement at Ohio Skate in Toledo where she became a fixture working part time until 2012. Once her children entered school, Shirley returned to the workforce full time as a child care provider at Kiddie Kollege Day Care Center in Sylvania. Later she channeled her love of meeting new people and helping them into a retail career at Elder Beerman Westgate where she was employed for nearly 20 years. Customers knew Shirley by her ever present smile. Throughout her life and after retirement in 2012 Shirley enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, solved Suduko puzzles, and enjoyed singing in her church choir.

Singing was Shirley's own way of worshipping her God, and she cherished the church choirs with whom she sang throughout the years. She was a member of Cathedral of Praise/Church on Strayer for more than 20 years, and most recently found a worship home with Walk the Word Ministry at the University of Toledo Scott Park Campus. Her family takes solace in knowing that she has been made whole once more, and is singing in Heaven's Choir with the angels that she loved so much.

Shirley is survived by her beloved husband of 47 years Dale E. Smith; children Phyllis (Dennis) Bixler and Dale Jr. (Cindy) Smith; adored grandchildren Joseph and Shelby (fiancé, Anthony Chilson) Bixler, Taylor and Blake Smith; brother Paul (Marilyn) DeCello; sister Patricia Lewis; sister-in-law Debby (Frank) Dillon; many nieces and nephews; and her dear friend Beverly McGill. She was preceded in death by her parents, and siblings Joseph P. DeCello Jr. and Sally McHaffie.

The family will receive guests on Friday, May 1, 2015 from 2-8:00 p.m. at Newcomer Funeral Home, 4752 Heatherdowns Blvd., Toledo (419-381-1900). The Funeral Service will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday. Entombment will take place at Restlawn Memorial Park.

To those wishing to leave a memorial contribution in Shirley's name, please consider: Hospice of Northwest Ohio.