Shirley Ann Webber

Shirley Ann (Phend) Webber, died peacefully on October 8, 2024, in Rockville, MD, with her daughter Carol at her bedside. She was the youngest of 5 children born to Hazlette Aileen Brubaker and Rolland Victor "Vic" Phend in Troy Township, IN on July 27, 1934.

Shirley was valedictorian of her class of 25 students at Larwill High School. She attended Indiana University in Bloomington for 3 years pursuing a degree in Education but felt teaching was not for her. She ultimately obtained a BS in psychology from Washington University, University College in 1988/1989. Shirley's career began at Lincoln Life Insurance in Fort Wayne from 1955 through 1968. It was during this time where she met her husband, C. Lester “Les” Webber. She married Les who was divorced with 3 children (Beth, Lee and Barbara). She and Les had 2 children together: Carol Ann and Robert John “Robbie”. Shirley had jobs off and on during their marriage, but her primary role was as Carol’s mother. Les and Shirley moved around the United States a bit and finally settled in Rock Hill, MO around 1979 where Shirley lived until she retired in 1999. Her final position was as an administrative assistant to the assistant dean at University College at Washington University in St. Louis. Shirley moved out to the East Coast to help care for her grandchildren. Books, movies, classical music, travel, life-long learning and her family were Shirley's passions. She also enjoyed gardening in the backyard she shared with her daughter and family.

Shirley was predeceased by her former husband, C. Lester “Les” Webber; her sisters and their spouses, Phyllis (Walter) Mitchell, Patricia (Bob) Reiff, and Virginia Wiseman, her stepson Lee Webber and his widow Barbara Wilmer, and infant son, Robert John "Robbie" Webber.

She is survived by her brother, William "Bill" Phend; her daughter, Carol Van Ryzin (husband, Eric and their children, Connor and Ray); and her stepdaughters, Beth Schmelzer (husband, Tom and their children, Dan and his wife Melissa Schmelzer their kids Tyler and Jack, Suzanne and Stephen Yuter and their daughter Shira), Barbara Webber her son Jason Marx-Webber, and Lee and Barbara's daughter Atlee Webber and numerous nieces and nephews and their children.

As we say goodbye to Shirley, we celebrate a life well-lived—a life full of love, laughter, and the pursuit of a better world for all people. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on November 23, 2024 at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Rockville exact time TBD with reception to follow. Her ashes will be interred at Lakeview Cemetery in Larwill, Indiana with her infant son's remains at a later date TBD in the Summer of 2025. Charitable contribution suggestions are: The Children’s Inn at the National Institutes of Health, World Central Kitchen, Elizabeth Schilling Adjust Your Sails Foundation or Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.