Shirley A. Pechous

Born in Escanaba on Dec. 15, 1931, she was the daughter of Clayton and Marian (Smith) LaLonde.

Shirley earned her nursing degree from Englewood Hospital and then started her career at St. Francis in Escanaba. After moving to Chicago, she started working at Englewood Hospital and later Cook County Hospital, it was there that she met her future husband.

On Oct. 31, 1959, in Chicago, Shirley was united in marriage to the love of her life Dr. Charles E. Pechous Jr.

Shirley’s love of gardening came from her mother-in-law, Lillian Pechous. She loved the annual start of summer with planting a variety of white flowers. With the outdoor decorated, Shirley turned to her kitchen and her passion for entertaining with family and friends. Shirley enjoyed hosting parties whether it was First Communion, Kentucky Derby, the Annual Canadian Fish Fry, the Fourth of July Picnic, or attending Allendale Block parties.

Her love of cooking for her family and friends helped nourish those who sat at her table with love and spirituality. Shirley was an active member of St. Mark’s Church where she started the Adoration of Mary and assisted with Mass preparation. Ever dedicated to the Catholic faith, she and her husband made numerous pilgrimages with family and friends to Medjugorje.

Surviving are her six children, Charles (Kim) Pechous III, Anne Holdsworth, Jim Pechous, Mary (Tim) Stell, Tom (Jen) Pechous and Liz Pechous; 15 grandchildren; a sister, Joyce Wood, St. Joesph, Mich.; and two brothers, James (Alberta) LaLonde, Gladstone; and Thomas James (Nancy) LaLonde, Ann Arbor, Mich.

In addition to her parents and husband, Shirley was preceded in death by a sister, Joanitta (Walter) Rogers and her most loved expensive pet, Lorritto.

Visitation was held on Sunday, Jan. 21, at Proko Funeral Home in Kenosha, Wis. On Jan. 22, friends and family were asked to meet at St. Mark’s Catholic Church, 7117-14th Ave., for a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will follow at All Saints Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Kenosha Achievement Center, St. Mark’s Catholic Church or the Shalom Center would be appreciated.