Pauline “Paula” Anna Shirk, age 86, of Adrian, Michigan passed away early Thursday, February 12, 2026, at Charlotte Stephenson Manor with her loving husband by her side.
Paula was born on October 23, 1939 in Bentleyville, Pennsylvania to Paul and Anna (Slaby) Gibbs. Paula graduated from Bentleyville High School and went on to Duquesne University in Pittsburgh where she earned a B.A. in Education in 1961. She taught for a year in Pennsylvania, but then with a dream to travel the world, she left teaching and became a stewardess with United Airlines. It was while flying for United that she met her future husband, Robert (Bob) Shirk, a frequent business traveler with W. T. Grant whose hometown was not far from hers. They married on June 27, 1964, in Pittsburgh.
After relocations to Chicago and St. Paul, Paula and Bob and their two daughters settled in Adrian in 1967, where Bob became the manager of the local Grant store and then later opened Micheal Roberts Men’s Store in the Adrian Mall with Micheal Entinger. Paula returned to her first career in education and was one of the original educators at the Lenawee ISD Vocational-Technical Center (Vo-Tec) when it opened in 1970. Paula moved into administration in 1971 and earned her M.A in Education at Eastern Michigan University in 1972. Later, she earned a Ph.D. in Education Administration at the University of Michigan in 1982 and then moved to the Jackson ISD in 1984 where she became the Director of the Jackson Career Center and eventually Assistant Superintendent. At her retirement in 1998, she was presented with a resolution from the State of Michigan for her leadership and many contributions to vocational education in the state.
Paula and Bob have been active members of the community and avid supporters of many organizations, including the Croswell Opera House and the Adrian Symphony Orchestra. They enjoyed traveling together and with friends, and they especially loved Hawaii, where they had first gone on their honeymoon. Most of all, they loved the island of Kauai, where they spent many winters. Paula also loved entertaining and playing bridge and tennis and later Mah Jongg.
In addition to her husband, Paula is survived by their children, Stephanie (Steve) Olds and Michele (Tom) Shannon; granddaughter Keira Olds and brother Ron Gibbs. Paula was preceded in death by her brother, Bruce (Diane) Gibbs along with her parents.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at noon at Wagley Funeral Home, Adrian. The family will be receiving friends from 10 AM until the service begins at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Adrian Symphony Orchestra at www.adriansymphony.org .
Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.WagleyFuneralHomes.com.
Paula was born on October 23, 1939 in Bentleyville, Pennsylvania to Paul and Anna (Slaby) Gibbs. Paula graduated from Bentleyville High School and went on to Duquesne University in Pittsburgh where she earned a B.A. in Education in 1961. She taught for a year in Pennsylvania, but then with a dream to travel the world, she left teaching and became a stewardess with United Airlines. It was while flying for United that she met her future husband, Robert (Bob) Shirk, a frequent business traveler with W. T. Grant whose hometown was not far from hers. They married on June 27, 1964, in Pittsburgh.
After relocations to Chicago and St. Paul, Paula and Bob and their two daughters settled in Adrian in 1967, where Bob became the manager of the local Grant store and then later opened Micheal Roberts Men’s Store in the Adrian Mall with Micheal Entinger. Paula returned to her first career in education and was one of the original educators at the Lenawee ISD Vocational-Technical Center (Vo-Tec) when it opened in 1970. Paula moved into administration in 1971 and earned her M.A in Education at Eastern Michigan University in 1972. Later, she earned a Ph.D. in Education Administration at the University of Michigan in 1982 and then moved to the Jackson ISD in 1984 where she became the Director of the Jackson Career Center and eventually Assistant Superintendent. At her retirement in 1998, she was presented with a resolution from the State of Michigan for her leadership and many contributions to vocational education in the state.
Paula and Bob have been active members of the community and avid supporters of many organizations, including the Croswell Opera House and the Adrian Symphony Orchestra. They enjoyed traveling together and with friends, and they especially loved Hawaii, where they had first gone on their honeymoon. Most of all, they loved the island of Kauai, where they spent many winters. Paula also loved entertaining and playing bridge and tennis and later Mah Jongg.
In addition to her husband, Paula is survived by their children, Stephanie (Steve) Olds and Michele (Tom) Shannon; granddaughter Keira Olds and brother Ron Gibbs. Paula was preceded in death by her brother, Bruce (Diane) Gibbs along with her parents.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at noon at Wagley Funeral Home, Adrian. The family will be receiving friends from 10 AM until the service begins at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Adrian Symphony Orchestra at www.adriansymphony.org .
Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.WagleyFuneralHomes.com.
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