Shirley Jean Mewhiney of Caro, formerly of Fairgrove, age 85, passed away on Thursday, October 16, 2014 at St. Mary’s of Michigan in Saginaw. She was born at home in Akron on August 14, 1929, the daughter of the late Raymond and Fern (Culbert) Rayl. Shirley was united in marriage with Jerry Mewhiney on October 18, 1947. She lived most of her adult life in Fairgrove until moving to Wixom Lake in Beaverton and then to Freeland. For the last three years, she lived at Heritage Hill Assisted Living in Caro. Shirley worked for twenty-five years at the Caro Regional Center, retiring in 1975. Through the years, seeing her grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought tears of joy to her life. She felt blessed to have so many years to watch them learn and grow. Shirley loved the beauty of nature, animals and plants, and especially her own rose gardens. One of her greatest pleasures was taking long “joy” rides to enjoy the beauty of the world around her. She got to know her way around in her travels without ever using a map and was also very good at giving directions. Once she could no longer drive, and upon her passing, family said they’ll “miss driving Miss Daisy around.” Shirley is survived by two sons, one daughter, and their spouses, Mike Mewhiney of Gladwin, Jim and Joyce Mewhiney of Caro, Paula and David Ramsey of Bealeton, Virginia; eight grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren, Amy Frehling and children, John Michael, Lily, Olivia, Jaxson and Violet of Gladwin, Andrea and Deron Stec and children, Brendon and Sydney of South Lyon, Aaron and Cristen Spencer and child, Saffron, of Westmont, Illinois, Holly and Jerry Supinger and children, Dakota and Dariyan of Gladwin, Nicole Mewhiney of Roswell, Georgia, Erika and Kris Trisch and children Grace, Faith and Max of Howell, Alisha Edwards and Cara Edwards of Warrenton, Virginia. She was blessed to live to see the newest great-grandchild, Saffron Spencer, just a few weeks ago. She is also survived by two sisters, Joy and Gary Goyette of Roscommon, Norma & Paul Brewer of Fort Meyers, Florida; niece and dear friend, Jean Botkins of Jones, Oklahoma. Shirley was preceded in death by her husband of sixty-three years, Jerry, in September of 2010; two sisters, Geraldine Rayl and Arlene Botkins; a brother, Kenneth Rayl; and a daughter-in-law, Kathy Mewhiney. As per Shirley’s wishes, cremation has taken place and no services will be held. The family is planning a private graveside memorial gathering at the Brookside Cemetery in Fairgrove at a later date. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorial contributions to the American Heart Association. The family was assisted with these arrangements by the Ransford Collon Funeral Home of Caro. Friends may share memories, thoughts and prayers online at www.RansfordCollon.com.