Shirley Gene Barto 1934-2024 ….

Shirley Gene Barto 1934-2024

Shirley Gene Barto was beautiful inside and out. She touched many lives. Every individual who encountered her was uplifted.

Shirley was born in Silver City, New Mexico, on March 3, 1934. Her parents were Marion “Mimi” Haven and Herbert Lee. “Herb” had an ancestor named Sally Yellowjacket, so Shirley was part Cherokee.

She was the drum major for Silver City High School’s marching band. She met and married Jay Fletcher, the football team captain. They moved to California and had two children, Jackie and Trudy. They divorced, and Shirley struggled as a single mother.

Shirley’s new life began one night when she went to the Big Top, a restaurant and bar in downtown Long Beach, California. Hendrik “Hank” Barto, an immigrant from the Netherlands, was playing the piano. Another girl was sitting next to him on the piano bench, flirting. Shirley saw him from afar while he was playing “Tumbling Tumbleweeds,” a song by Billy Vaughn. She went over to the piano bench and wedged between the two, knocking the girl off the bench.

Shortly after, Shirley and Hank married and lived happily ever after for 65 years. Hank adopted the little girls and raised them as if they were his own. A year after the wedding, they had a baby boy, Terry, and 18 months later, Todd was born.

They resided in Huntington Beach, California. Hank played at various piano bars in Orange County, including Jolly Rogers and the Disneyland Hotel. Shirley was a natural at modeling, performing in live events, and doing print work in magazines and newspapers. She was offered an opportunity in New York but declined to stay home with her family. She became passionate about sewing and made clothes for herself and the kids.

Shirley began a long career at Old Ranch Country Club in Seal Beach. She opened the club with the first manager, Wayne Ferrell, and held various positions, mainly as membership manager. Shirley’s kind, heartfelt nature was infectious, and the members looked forward to seeing her.

She dressed impeccably and never wore an outfit, jewelry, or shoes twice. The former fashion model was a shopaholic, and there wasn’t a sale she could pass up. Shirley also had diverse interests. She helped Todd with architectural and landscaping work, took Terry to the theater and concerts, cheered him on during his performances, and supported her daughters as they raised their children.

Sadly, Todd died in 1989 from complications related to cancer. A life event that a mother can never get over. Shirley and Hank moved to Leisure World in 1995.

Terry tried to make up for the loss of her youngest son over the years, and they shared a bond unmatched by any mother-son relationship. Mama’s boy was with her as she took her last breath at home on July 31, 2024, going from her son on earth to her other son in the spirit world.

No comparison exists to that of her true love, Hank. Shirley found her soul mate. Nothing and no one could ever tear them apart. Even though she isn’t physically here, their love is so strong that it continues to live on forever. For now, goodbye, Shirley Gene Barto, you were everything good.