My Dearest Friend Shirley, During our twenty-year friendship, you have taken an absolutely unique place in my heart. I will miss you incredibly. Our conversations, your family stories, when you described to me how you and Jerry went on Safari in Africa, or when you fed ducks by the pond with your brother Ken. The stories about your parents, about your sister Sue and her family, about your sister Melba, or about your brother Howard. How Ken could always make you laugh and how you looked forward to every one of his visits. How you cherished every phone call with Sue and hoped she would come visit soon. The way you told me about how you met Jerry for the first time at the gas station, your early days in Illinois, your work at Motorola, and the founding of Jerry Castle & Son. When you spoke with incredible love about your son Keith, how you were such a loving and proud mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother. I remember the moments of laughter and tears, every cup of coffee we shared together with a thousand stories exchanged. I will never forget you; you were truly a strong and courageous woman, who may have stood a little in the background, but at the same time, you were the woman Jerry and Keith could always rely on. You were a woman whose presence left an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of knowing you. You were more than just a friend, a mother, a sister, or a partner—you were a beacon of love, kindness, and resilience. I find it hard to put into words just how much you meant to all of us. You weren’t just a part of our lives; you were a source of strength, love, and light. It feels strange speaking about you in the past tense because, in so many ways, you are still with us—in our hearts, our memories, and everything you’ve left behind. You lived your life with a quiet grace that was impossible to ignore. You didn’t need to shout to be heard; your kindness, wisdom, and compassion spoke louder than words ever could. You had this remarkable ability to make everyone around you feel valued. No matter what you were going through, you were always there for others, lifting us up when we needed it most. You will forever be in my memories. I love you, Shirley.

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