Dr. Cynthia Renee Shirley, of Montgomery, Texas, was born on September 3, 1965 in Houston, Texas, and left her earthly home for her heavenly one, on July 25, 2019.
Cindy received her undergraduate degree in Animal Science from Texas A&M University in College Station, class of 1987, and her Doctorate in Reproductive Biology from the University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Science. Dr. Shirley worked with the Mutant Mouse Resource and Research Center at the University of California Davis in 2005-2006, helping improve the repository archiving techniques and record keeping systems.
Cindy was a true patriot, dedicating her time to Veteran’s organizations, including her beloved Blue Ghost Beauties, a women’s auxiliary branch of the Blue Ghost Air Cavalry, the unit to which her husband belonged during the Vietnam War. She loved America fiercely, and never missed an opportunity to discuss politics, world events, or to cast votes in elections. As a woman of faith, Cindy believed in the power of God’s love, grace, and forgiveness, and knew him to be her savior. She was exceedingly loyal in prayer and presence to those she held dear. Throughout her life, Cindy enjoyed the study of science, scuba diving, hiking, traveling, the serenity of a beautiful beach, and most recently, the comfort she found in the predictable happy endings of the movies she watched on her favorite tv station, the Hallmark Channel. Her most fulfilling hobby was found in animal advocacy, as she began fostering dogs through Operation Pets Alive, a Montgomery County based group whose purpose is to find forever homes for stray or unwanted dogs and cats. Her involvement in the animal foster program brought her great joy, and her heart for these animals was evident to all who knew her.
Cynthia Renee Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Peter and Reba Christian, of Houston Texas. She is survived by her one true love, Dwane “DD” Shirley, and one brother, Peter “Tony” Christian. She has two sons, Robert Shirley and his wife Sandra, and John Shirley and his wife Kendra, four grandchildren, Michael Shirley, Rowan Shirley, Brandon Shirley, and his wife Jessikah, and Connor Palomo, three great grandchildren, Triton Shirley, Aria Shirley and Savanna Shirley. Cindy is survived by numerous friends and loved ones, including her Godparents Clifton and Deanna Wedgman, and her beloved Goddaughter, Andie Nicole Terry. A Celebration of Cindy’s Life will occur on Saturday, August 3, at the Knights of Columbus Hall, located at 2655 FM-1488 – Conroe, Texas, at 2pm with the Celebration of Life message at 3pm. In lieu of flowers, Cynthia’s family requests donations be made in her name to Operation Pets Alive. (www.operationpetsalive.org) http://www.kleinfh.com/m/?p=memorial&id=2174925