Shirley Fisher Maurer, a beautiful and loving soul, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 10, 2018. Shirley was a former resident of Poplar Bluff. She had a long career working at the Poplar Bluff VA Medical Center before retiring to Florida 27 years ago. Mrs. Maurer, 92, was a child in British Columbia, Canada during the Great Depression. She left Canada for the U.S. at the age of 20 to serve as secretary to the head of the YWCA in New York City. She then served in US Navy for four years before marrying USMC Master Sergeant Earl Maurer in Leucadia, California. After retiring to Florida she began volunteering at the Boys & Girls Club of Hobe Sound in 2001. While there for over 15 years, she created the Harry Potter Reading Club and was a tutor inspiring many local youth to have a great love of reading. Shirley was named Outstanding Senior Volunteer at Martin County's first Appreciation Awards coordinated by the Children's Service Council, Martin County.
Preceded in death by her husband Earl Maurer, parents Agnes Hamill Fisher and Steele Fisher, brothers Bill and Frank Fisher, and sister Bernice Fisher Shannon, of British Columbia, Canada. Shirley is survived by her loving daughter and son-in-law Anna and Jerry Allen with whom she lived joyfully for the past 27 years in Hobe Sound; son Vincent Maurer of Florida, grandsons Christopher Allen of Pittsburgh, Nathan Maurer of Poplar Bluff, Anthony Maurer, granddaughters Clarissa Hall, Christy Maurer, and 8 great-grandchildren, all of the St. Louis area. She is also survived by nieces Frankie Windsor, Kelly Stent and John and Patrick Shannon of British Columbia, Canada.
The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass will be offered for Shirley on Wednesday, August 15, 2018 at 9:00 AM at St. Christopher Catholic Church, 12001 SE Federal Hwy, Hobe Sound, FL with Reverend Aidan Hynes officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to: Boys and Girls Club of Martin County, PO Box 910, Hobe Sound, FL 33475. In the memo, note: "In honor of Ms. Shirley Maurer". Donations will be credited to the literacy program.
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