Shirley Close

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Froggie and Debbie said “Good-bye” to mother, Shirley Margaret (Gill) Close, as she began her final earthly journey, Saturday 12 December 2009. She missed her 63rd birthday by 4 days, but family and friends celebrated and remember fondly her life of abundant Christian Faith: daughter Deborah Joy (Simon) Noakes, father William E. Gill, sisters Sandra Gill (Ed) Clark, Mary Anne Gill (Tom) Asbury, brother David (Toni) Gill, nephews Michael, David, Brian, Nicholas, Stephen and niece Taylor. At journey’s end, she would greet her husband of 17 years, Gary Lee Close, mother Margaret, and step-mothers Mary Katherine and Ruth. Family, friends, Westerville High School (1964) and Otterbein College (1968) classmates, and Church of the Messiah UMC, its choirs, UMW, and Searchers class will all miss her piano, singing, reading, game playing, crossword-puzzle knowledge, and collection of angels, but mostly her deeply sincere friendship and concern toward all who found themselves beside her on life’s journey. Celebration of Life memorial service followed by refreshments on 31 January 2010, 3:00pm, Church of the Messiah, UMC, 51 N. State Street, Westerville, OH. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, the Church of the Messiah organ fund, or an organization of your choice, in memory of Shirley Close. As she often closed her Tupperware parties: “I know in my heart, I know in my mind, that when I bend over, I stick out behind.”