Our beloved Shirley Ann (Metcalf) Gildersleeve, 76, passed away on June 19, 2026, from a rare and rapidly progressive neurodegenerative disease (Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease). Shirley was born on October 25, 1949, to Donna and Clifton Metcalf. She grew up in Fairgrove, MI, in a large and musically gifted family and loved singing in harmony with her sisters. After graduating from Akron-Fairgrove High School, she went on to study education and art at Michigan State University. Shirley married Jud Gildersleeve in 1979.

Shirley worked as an elementary school teacher before becoming a full-time homemaker and mother to her two daughters, Erin and Kelly. She was also a lifelong artist—wowing friends and family with vibrant, three-dimensional stained glass sculptures. A devoted gardener, nature lover, and health and fitness enthusiast, Shirley filled her life with creativity, color, and movement.

She is survived by her husband, Jud; daughters, Erin and Kelly; sisters, Betty, Diane, and Sandi; and many dear family members and friends.

Shirley was passionate, positive, strong, and deeply kind. She approached others with sincere warmth and a radiant smile that drew people to her. She energized her art with bold purples and magentas, herons exploding from ponds, and flowers bending into sunsets. She filled her days singing along with beautiful music, creating art, landscaping, taking long walks in the woods, and enjoying heart-to-hearts with family and good friends.

Shirley loved her family, friends, and fitness center community with all of her heart–and we loved her with all of our hearts. She celebrated others’ joys as if they were her own and inspired us to appreciate the little things. Her presence made ordinary days feel brighter.

Until the very end, every day was “a beautiful day” for Shirley, and our days were more beautiful because of her. She will be dearly missed.

There will not be a formal funeral service, but the family encourages you to celebrate Shirley as you knew her.