Jan. 27, 2022
Shirley passed away peacefully at home on Jan. 27, 2022, at age 77, surrounded by her loving family.
Shirley was the oldest of eight children, born in Waterbury, Connecticut, to Byron Alexander Hunter and Margaret Clark Oleson. In 1962 Shirley graduated from Amity Regional High School in Woodbridge, Connecticut, and then returned to teach chemistry thereafter earning her bachelor’s degree (zoology with a minor in chemistry from the University of Washington). And while teaching at Amity Regional High School, she met her future husband, Chuck.
Shirley and Chuck were married in the London Temple in 1974 and started their married life in Woodbridge, but eventually moved to California. They lived in Burbank for a few years, then moved to Simi Valley. When Chuck retired they moved to Halifax, Virginia, and they resided there for almost 13 years until Chuck passed away on August 29, 2021. By then they had already decided to accept their youngest son’s offer to live with him and his family in Hurricane, Utah.
Shirley moved to Utah in November and fiercely enjoyed her last few months of life there. She was able to visit with all of her family, many old friends and even some new friends.
In addition to her family, Shirley enjoyed many interests. She was always a very talented artist. She designed and created beautiful dolls, painted in both oils and acrylics, drew in pen and ink, pencil and charcoals, designed and even sewed clothing and costumes with her daughter, Becky. She even had her own business, American Beauty Dolls, selling her hand-crafted felt, porcelain and vinyl dolls with beautiful costumes and accessories.
She was also a collector of many things as well as an avid reader all her life. Her favorite books as a child were the Oz series by L. Frank Baum and as an adult she especially loved Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. She wrote and directed plays for church roadshows and took ballet for many years. Shirley was an excellent storyteller in her journals; of which there are many.
Shirley was a faithful and active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She grew up in the New Haven Branch, New England Mission. Her father was the branch president there for 17 years so the whole family was very active throughout her childhood. She served as president of MIA, Primary, and Relief Society at different times in her life, counselor in Relief Society many times, and teacher in every organization.
Shirley has had many beautiful souls care for her throughout her journey and she deeply appreciated and loved her caregivers in both Virginia and Utah. She had many relatives and friends visit and call over the past few weeks to wish her well and she was so overjoyed by the outpouring of love. She was so grateful and lifted by all of you.
Shirley was and will continue to be such a beautiful bright light in this world. She had such a softness and empathy for everyone she met, she was a beautiful example to us all and will be missed immensely.
Shirley was survived by her three sons: Calderwood David Speer and wife Jenni of Fort Worth, Texas; Benjamin Warren Peck and wife Elizabeth of Simi Valley, California; and Charles Hunter Peck and wife Deena of Hurricane, Utah.
Also survived by her siblings, Robert Bruce Hunter and wife Barbara, Margaret Elizabeth Hunter Fox, Sharman Jeanette Hunter Wilson and husband Brent, and Deborah Lyn Hunter Ramsey and husband Douglas. And last but not least, she was survived by her 10 beautiful grandchildren, Alexander, Lily, Edmund and Ransom Speer, Alyssa, Connor and Chase Peck, and Charles, Madison and Hunter Peck.
Shirley was preceded in death by her loving husband, Charles Edmund Peck “Chuck”; daughter, Rebecca Mary Peck; her brother, James Calderwood Hunter; and sisters, Virginia Jean Hunter Jepsen and Heather Eileen Hunter Hunt.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, Feb.1, 2022, at 2 p.m., with a viewing prior at 1 p.m., at the Hurricane 19th Ward Chapel, 658 W. 1500 S., Hurricane, Utah 84737. Interment will be in Woodbridge, Connecticut with her beloved husband and daughter.
Arrangements entrusted to the care of Metcalf Hurricane Valley Mortuary, 435-635-9922. Visit Metcalf Mortuary’s website at www.metcalfmortuary.com for condolences, complete obituary and funeral listings.