Shirley Ann Cabla, age 94, of Britton, passed away peacefully at home with her family on November 28, 2024, the day after a wonderful early celebration with her loved ones. It’s fitting that she departed on Thanksgiving Day, because gratitude was always in her heart. She was grateful for the blessings in her life and especially for her friends and family, and that surely contributed to her longevity.
She was born in Toledo, Ohio on October 2, 1930 to Elmer and Leona Gladieux. As the oldest of six children, she loved playing Mother Hen to her siblings. All her life she enjoyed caring for others, and became a beloved, honorary grandmother to many.
Always an athletic child, Shirley loved dancing, roller skating, tennis, swimming and fishing. She was especially proud to have earned the nickname “Fleetfoot” by running faster than all of the neighborhood kids (including the boys!)
Shirley graduated from Clay High School in 1948 and the very next day began her professional career as a secretary for Toledo Edison, where she worked for 10 years.
She met the love of her life, Joseph Cabla, when they were paired up in a wedding party in 1954. They were married on May 5, 1956 at the Sacred Heart Church in Toledo, Ohio.
After their marriage they lived in Ida, Michigan until they built her yellow brick dream home in Britton, where they raised their children Joe, Joyce and David.
Shirley was active with St. Elizabeth/St. Dominic Catholic Church, serving on the Altar Society, as a Bingo worker, and a Fall Festival volunteer. She worked at the Roast Beef Dinners, taught religious education, and sang in the choir at St. Dominic, and in the funeral choir at St. Elizabeth.
A lifelong volunteer, Shirley was also a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters, a secretary for the Tecumseh Business and Professional Women organization, and she and Joe were active in The Shawnee Squares square dancing group, serving as presidents in 1976. Other volunteer work included Meals on Wheels and being a reading mentor.
She and her husband also hosted a rosary group in their home for 14 years, making lifelong friends with its members.
A master of shorthand, Shirley started clerical work at the Tecumseh Products in 1967 and retired in 1993. Outside of work she was skilled in cooking, cake decorating, gardening, canning, making her famous jelly, embroidery, and ceramics. She loved to travel and read religious books and magazines.
Always a very involved grandmother, she took great joy in playing with and teaching her grandchildren skills, games and prayers. She led by example and was formidable in the religious and moral foundation of many.
Along with her overflowing warmth, she will be remembered for being a wonderful hostess. She took great joy in making people happy even though she herself rarely sat down for a meal (usually because she left a side dish in the microwave). Shirley freely handed out compliments, gifts, and thank you notes for even the smallest of things. She was everyone’s biggest cheerleader, and will be remembered for spreading her love of Jesus.
Shirley is survived by her daughter Joyce (JD) Lancaster; grandchildren, Karena (Elden “Ted”) Cattell, Joey (Rebecca) Cabla, Jacy (Jon) Grabo, Jimmy (Deanna) Lancaster, Juli and Jared Lancaster; step-grandchildren, Kelby (Emily) and Collette Wallace; great-grandchildren, Assumpter (Drake) Ringer, Judea, Ambrose and Perpetua Cattell, Taryn, Levi and Ellie Cabla, Emilia and Brooks Lancaster, and Audrey Ann and Abigail Grabo; great-great grandchildren, Roman and Declan Ringer; sisters Virginia (Gilbert) Lowder, Joanne (David) Luoma, and Carol (Tim) Lannen; sister-in-law, Barb Gladieux; and many dear relatives, friends and neighbors.
In addition to her husband of 65 years, Shirley was preceded in death by her parents; her sons, David John (in infancy), and Joseph Michael Cabla; her brothers, Richard and Thomas Gladieux; and in-laws Blanche and Joseph Simek and Judy Gladieux.
A Mass of the Christian Burial will be Friday, December 6, 2024 at 12:00 P.M. at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church with Fr. Daniel Wheeler as celebrant. Burial will follow in Brookside Cemetery. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service in the church on Friday, and from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. on Thursday, December 5, 2024 at the Handler Funeral Home in Tecumseh. The Chaplet of Divine Mercy will be prayed at 3:30 P.M. followed by the Rosary, and all are welcome to join in prayer.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations for masses at St. Elizabeth/St. Dominic Catholic Church, to Heart of the Nation or to Hospice of Lenawee. You may also, in her spirit, compliment a stranger or thank God for the blessings in your life. She was one of ours.