Shirley Mae Vidal

Shirley (fondly known as “The Queen”) was born on February 11, 1940, in Baton Rouge,
Louisiana, to Lela Mae Cooper (Later Lynch). She lived with her maternal aunts and attended a
portion of her elementary school years in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She was the eldest of four
siblings: Jacqueline Lynch Thomas (deceased 2009), Dr. Saundra Lynch Ervin (Prentiss I),
Bowie, MD, Henry Lynch, Jr., Portland, OR, and Larry Collins (Wendy), Portland, OR.

At the age of ten, she joined her family in Portland, Oregon, where she continued her
educational studies at Eliot Elementary School. After graduating from Eliot, she attended
Jefferson High School, where she discovered a passion for home economics, especially sewing
and cooking. Following graduation from High School, she worked several jobs in Portland.

Shirley was a single mom with three sons: Ronnie Sr, Stefon Sr., and Rance Jr. She was the
grandmother of Jessica, Quincey, and Ronnie Jr., (Ronnie Sr), Stefon Jr, Eboni, and Destiny
(Stefon Sr.), Deonza, Jemeia, and Mercedes (Rance Jr). She was a wonderful aunt, a great
aunt, a great great aunt, a great grandmother, and a friend to many.

Later in her employment history, she began her tenure with Portland Public Schools. Shirley
was assigned to the site of Irving Elementary School as a teacher aide. This job title was later
recategorized as a paraprofessional and renamed as a teacher assistant. She continued her
employment with Portland Public Schools after a transfer to Sabin Elementary School, were
she worked in lower elementary, until her retirement in 2002.

Shirley was devoted and loyal to her family and friends. She was unselfish by nature and always
hospitable to all who walked through her front door. Everyone loved to come to Shirley’s house
to enjoy outstanding cuisine and scrumptious desserts. Shirley loved to cook and oftentimes
would sit at her kitchen table with family and friends, eating, entertaining, and laughing with
tears of joy. She was always baking delicious cakes, cobblers, sweet potato pies, zucchini
bread, you name it. She was always willing to experiment with a dish from the infamous “Betty
Crocker” red and white checkered cookbook. Many good talks took place around her
kitchen/dining room table. This was the place where you were always guaranteed a good
conversation and debate, regardless of your participant status.

When working with “her children,” she strived to keep them excited about learning, especially
reading. She was adamant about helping the “little people” develop strong leadership skills by
building a solid foundation of good character towards others. She also emphasized to her “little
people” the importance of learning how to save money early in their piggy banks. This
knowledge she hoped would one day help teach them the importance of saving money and
preparing for retirement.

Shirley was a devoted Christian who loved the Lord, her Church community, and the vows she
made at Daniel Memorial COGIC and First Church. She honored GOD and the steps He led her
to take to accomplish her dreams.

She was a generous soul who fed Anyone she encountered who met that need. Even though
she was kind and gracious, everyone knew that this 4’10” Powerhouse was nothing to be
reckoned with. You either liked her, or you didn’t. She was spunky and would put you in your
place in a heartbeat, but then she would love you the next minute. She was a strong woman
who had a brilliant mind for finances and planning for life after retirement.

In the late 90s and early 2000s, she collaborated with her middle son (Stefon, Sr.) to sponsor a
weekly street ministry followed by a lunch for the homeless. Shirley would cook large pots of
food to share and hear the word of God while chatting and chewing. Again, she would minister
to the homeless about saving their money and finding employment.

About thirteen years ago, and many years after retirement, Shirley began to show signs of
cognitive decline. After undergoing several cognitive assessments with her physician, she was
diagnosed with a progressive disease known as Alzheimer's Dementia. Over the years following
the awful diagnosis and poor treatment outcomes, we began to see increasing signs of cognitive
deterioration. However, she was still Shirley Mae and did not take “no mess” from anyone. As
the years moved along, so did this chronic, terminal illness. Her wish to remain in her home
throughout this terminal illness was honored. So…on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, Shirley
succumbed to her illness and peacefully drifted away in quiet slumber, just as she had
requested, joining her almighty father, parents, sister, and many friends who preceded her in
death.

Words are so insufficient in times like this; however, trusting in God’s mercy, we encourage you
to hold tightly to the master’s hand. May God bless and strengthen the family and give you
peace and comfort in the days ahead. May you find assurance in His Word, comfort in His Love,
and heavenly peace and rest in His Presence.

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