Shirley Patricia Callaghan

Shirley Patricia Bateman Davis Callaghan passed away on Friday, April 13, 2018, from complications of Parkinson’s Disease.  She was born December, 19, 1923, in Melbourne, Australia, the oldest of four children born to Rupert and Edna (White) Bateman.  She passed away at home, surrounded by her loving family.

After a very good basic education, then graduating at the top of her secretarial class, Shirley worked at a job she loved for two years then met and fell in love with a member of the American Air Force, Jesse Davis.  With the blessings of her family, in 1946, Shirley traveled to America, along with 99 other “War Brides” on a US Troop ship and the couple made their home in his hometown, just outside of Kansas City, MO.  There they lived, having three children, until Jesse’s untimely death in 1951.  Shirley, always an adventurous soul and realizing her opportunities would be better in a large city, was hired by Ford Motor Company.  She packed her three small children up and moved to Detroit, MI, happily working and eventually met Jim Callaghan, who also worked for Ford and was also a widower with three young children of his own.  In 1958, they married and all six children were raised as one big family.  Jim worked for several companies over the years, while Shirley ran the home front.  During this time the family made several moves-from Detroit to Newport Beach, CA, to Doylestown, PA, then back to Costa Mesa, CA where they lived until retirement, then chose Salem, OR as their retirement spot, making many good friends along the way.

Jim passed away in April 2004, in Salem.  The next year Shirley moved to North Vernon, IN to be near her daughter, Sue, and son-in-law, Dick, eventually living with them for thirteen years, but not before one last long trip to visit a daughter in her beloved Australia, then on to visit a son and another daughter living in Hawaii.  With her six children and so many family and friends all over the world, Shirley always had a place to visit.  With her husband and children over the years, Shirley organized yearly camping trips to all 49 states and two World’s Fairs.  Shirley passed her love of travel and new places on to all six children and several grands.  She also had a list of 200 family and friends that she sent birthday cards to.

Shirley was preceded in death by her loving husband, Jim, in Salem, OR; both parents in Australia; and her very loved son-in-law, Dick Fenton of North Vernon, IN.

Shirley is survived by all six of her children and their spouses-Gary Davis of Kameula, HI; Sue Fenton of North Vernon, IN; Amanda and Antony Palmer of Aldgate, S. Australia; Sandi Woessner of Hana, HI; Kathleen Callaghan and Jim Hoenig of Honolulu, HI; Jim and Susan Callaghan of San Diego, CA as well as her fourteen loving grandchildren; Chibi, Val, Hava, Jeniene, Barry, Traci, Troy, Kylie, Matt, Kaua, Malia, Bryan, Corey, Gabriella and many more great-grands and one great-great-granddaughter.  Also, her very loved and loving caregivers, Brandy, Ashley, Traci and Andi as we as our Hospice angel, Ray.

Memorials can be made to Jennings County Animal Control for Shirley’s life long love of animals or to Our Hospice of Southern Indiana for the wonderful, loving, comforting care to Shirley and family.

Sawyer-Pickett will handle all arrangements with their gentle care.  A family memorial will be held in Hawaii at a future date.

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