Obituary: Shirley Frederick-Compos

Shirley Frederick-Compos, a Raton, NM, resident, passed away at the age of 65 on July 5, 2018, following a difficult, yet courageous, 3 1/2-year battle with bladder cancer.

Shirley was born in San Francisco, CA, on February 27, 1953, to Jean Frederick (deceased 1980) and Ernest Frederick (deceased 1992). She grew up in San Carlos, CA, and graduated from Carlmont High School in Belmont, CA, in 1971. She then went on to pursue her education to become an Electronic Technician, graduating from Cañada Community College in Redwood City, CA, in 1975.

Shirley and her late husband of 25 years, Mark Compos (deceased 2011), spent some of their most enjoyable and memorable years when they, for 4 1/2 years, managed the Gualala Country Inn on the California Mendocino County Coast in the quaint town in Gualala, CA, before moving to El Dorado, KS, where she lived for 20 years and retired as a Corporal at the Butler County Jail. Following retirement, she and Stanley Smith, whom she met in 2013 shortly before her retirement while still living in KS, moved to Raton, in order to enjoy the changing of the seasons, expansive hiking trails, beauty of nature's wildlife, and to explore Shirley's maternal family's New Mexico heritage.

Shirley is survived by her partner and caregiver Stanley Smith; the apple of her eye and 4-legged companion, Bella-Rosie; sisters Donna Carter (Fred) of Suwanee, GA, and Mary Corey (Jerry) of San Carlos, CA (coreyj1981@comcast.net); nephews Terry Frederick of Tampa, FL, and Eddie Aguilar of Suwanee, GA; and nieces Adrianne Ramezane (Brad) of San Carlos, CA, and Patti Norris (Scott) of Edgewater, MD.

In addition to her mother, father and husband, Shirley was also preceded in death by her beloved sister-in-law, Amie Frederick (1993); treasured brother, Ernie Frederick (1994); adored niece, Corie Frederick (2011); and loving sister-in-law, Trina Whiteside (2013).

Shirley embraced the love of her family, enthroned a variety of animal species and cherished life itself. Memories of her will be preserved for eternity in the hearts of her family and friends, e.g., her religious Catholic upbringing, her spontaneous adventures, sense of humor, heart of gold, relentless generosity, creativity, cooking skills, and, last but not least, her gifted green thumb.

She was the youngest of four siblings, yet she was seen as the family's matriarch. We love you to heaven and back, dearest sister and aunt.

At her request, no funeral service will be held. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Yaksich-Long Funeral Home, 1310 South Second Street, Raton, New Mexico, (575) 445-2622.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Noah's Ark Animal Welfare Association, 224 N. Chestnut St., Trinidad, CO 81082, or to a favorite charity of your choice.

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— Submitted for publication