Shirley Olga Studer passed away on July 27, 2023, four months shy of her 99th birthday. Shirley was born in Chicago, Illinois on November 12, 1924, the youngest of four children, to Albert and Nellie Sengstock. When she was a young woman, Shirley’s father believed she could be a star and wanted her to travel to Hollywood to find fame, but then 17-year-old Shirley went to a fair and fell in love with a 21-year-old southern gentleman named Quinton “Quin” Studer.
In 1943 Shirley welcomed their first child Susan (December 18, 1943 – December 2, 2014) while Quin was serving in the U.S. Navy on various ships in the Pacific. At the war’s end, Quin was reunited with Lovely Shirley and met 2-year-old Susan. In 1951 Shirley & Quin welcomed a son into the world, Quinton Dean “Quint” Studer.
The couple spent their working lives in the Chicago area. Quin worked for 41 years at Electro-Motive as a diesel mechanic. The Studer family spent summers at their cottage in Turtle, Wisconsin. From 1953 to 1961 Quin & Shirley owned and operated a summer resort in Turtle Lake known as the “Crystal Bowl.” Shirley and her sister Mil ran the resort during the week and their husbands—Quin & Len–helped on the weekends. Even after they sold the resort, they continued to spend summers in their beloved Turtle Lake. After Quin’s retirement, they split time between Turtle Lake and the Regency Condominiums in Fort Myers, Florida. In the 1990’s they moved full-time to Fort Myers and lived there until Quin’s passing in 2015. After Quin’s passing, Shirley relocated to Pensacola, Florida to be near her son Quint.
Shirley loved to entertain. She never met a party she did not want to attend. Always the life of the party, when entering a room, she would pause, hold up her arms, and say, “Here I am!” She was famous for singing her signature song, “I am Shirley everything.” Shirley also enjoyed playing slot machines. Famously when driving between Pensacola from Ft. Myers she could stop in Biloxi which was–“along the way.”
She was a great daughter to her mother Nellie and frequently passed along lessons learned to younger generations. Shirley and Quin had many lifelong friends and enjoyed traveling with them. As their friends passed, daughter Susan’s friends became their friends. Particularly Ruth, Frank, Ellwood, and Judy. The Regency party room had a piano and was always a festive place when Shirley sang. Shirley and Quin loved to dance with their favorite song was Duke Ellington’s “Satin Doll.” Shirley’s personal favorite song, was, Frank Sinatra’s classic “My Way.”
She was very family oriented—especially when it came to her grandchildren. Shirley and Quin enjoyed keeping their grandchildren for weekends, weeks, and on vacations with them.
As soon as she moved to Pensacola Shirley became a fierce Blue Wahoo fan—mostly listening over her radio. The family is grateful to the Blue Wahoo broadcasters who gave Shirley a shout-out during each game. Thank you, Tommy Thrall (now with Reds), Chris Garagiola, (now with the Diamondbacks) and current broadcaster Erik Bremmer. Just like in Fort Myers, Shirley quickly became a regular party host in Pensacola—particularly with her regular Wednesday night group of Theresa Waggoner, Geri Savage, Paula Shell, Jane White, and Laverne Baker.
Late in life Shirley finally became a star—just as her father had predicted—starring in her very own BLAB show, Shirley & Laverne. Thank you to the BLAB Crew and BLAB TV for broadcasting the Shirley & Laverne show marathon on July 29th.
The family is incredibly grateful for the loving care Shirley received from many providers, including Meg Peltier for 6 years, a number of caregivers from Home Instead, and several private caregivers. The family is grateful for the compassionate support of Angela Bottesini and Covenant Health. Thanks also to Dr. Buffi Bailey for her many visits to Miss Shirley. Thank you to Malcolm Ballinger, and to Laura and Barry Cole for your visits. Shirley also enjoyed spending time with her nephew/God Son Al Sengstock and Mark Van Dresar—thank you for your love.
A very deep appreciation to Dick and Laverne Baker who became a part of Shirley’s family when she moved to Pensacola in 2015. They set the example of unconditional and selfless love that was a gift to Shirley and her family.
Shirley was preceded in death by her father Albert, Mother Nellie, sister Mildred (Len), Brother George (Dorothy), Brother Wilbur, Nephew John Sengstock (Lorrie), Nephew Lenoard (Sally) great Nephew Andrew and her husband of 72 years Quin and daughter Susan and son in law Gerry.
She is survived by son Quint and daughter-in-law, Rishy. Grandchildren, Quin Studer (Q3) (Donnelle), Bekki Kennedy (Shannon), Katye Chwala (Randy), Mallory (Rick) and Michael. Great grandchildren, Cooper, Caiden, Katie Grace, and Owen Kenndy. Quin(Q4) and Weston Studer and Tommy Chwala.
There will be a private ceremony in Turtle Lake, Wisconsin where Lovely Shirley’s cremains will be scattered in the lake—reunited with Quin and Susan.
Please consider making a gift to Covenant Health to honor Shirley’s life. She would like that. If you are ever at a slot machine, think of Shirley . . . you just might get sevens across the board.