Shirley Ann (Orlea) Supancic

     Shirley Ann Supancic, 89 of Danville, passed away at 4:30 am, Wednesday, July 7 at Bowman Estates of Danville.  She was born October 11, 1931, in Westville, IL, the daughter of Earnest and Melva (Hathaway) Orlea.  She was married twice, once to Herman Louis Hussmann, Jr. on January 9, 1952 (Divorced November 25, 1969) and then to Perry Supancic on December 18, 1971 (Divorced February 28, 1975). Both preceded her in death. 
     Shirley Ann is survived by her 6 children whom she adored, one son Daniel Louis Hussmann; and five daughters, Holly Lee (Randall) Skoglund, Mindel Ann (Jeffrey) Johnson, Melva O’Linda (Mitchell) Schwartz, Mia Jean Kim (James – deceased) Loyd and Amy Beth (Doyle Gene) McKinley. Shirley was blessed with 18 grandchildren, Liya (James), Elise, Carla Pilar, Brady, Daniel, Jesse, Kelly, Carly (Daniel), Evan, Dean, Holly Song, Anna, Jordan, Mackenzie, Georgi, Lindy (Orlando), Nicholas, and Ellis. She was deeply loved by her surviving 9 great grandchildren, Jordan, Ella, Matt, JJ, Audrey, Colton, Max, Miles, and Isabella “Lolly”.  Shirley Ann is also survived by her only and cherished brother, Richard (Mildred) Orlea, as well as a multitude of cousins, nieces, nephews and a second sister-in-law, Beatrice. 
     Shirley Ann was a graduate of Westville High School. Out of high school she worked at General Motors prior to her first marriage.  Later in life she worked in senior care communities and as a most loved housekeeper and baby-sitter for several families. She and Lou divorced after 17 years of marriage. Shirley’s huge heart made room for Lou’s children, HL and Andy, their spouses and children and his second wife, Susan.  Shirley demonstrated this kind of love and acceptance to people from all walks of life.  She showed interest in and true compassion for everyone she met.  She forgave when it wasn’t expected. She left an indelible mark on the hearts of so many…and most thought they were her favorite.
     Shirley Ann was an excellent cook and spent hours looking up recipes and planning meals for her family, friends, and anyone in need.  She also loved to bake. Her pies & berry cobblers, iced brownies and apple pie slices were all favorites. Shirley loved home decorating and reading. She was one of the last and great letter writers. She filled pages and pages with interested questions, hilarious stories, recipes, and advice. Sometimes a letter might include a reprimand or two, but mostly they were filled with love and lots of encouragement. She was a tremendous help to all her children for many years, doing laundry, cooking, cleaning, and ironing…tasks she absolutely enjoyed and did them better than anyone else. Serving her family brought her great joy.  Parenting and grand parenting were truly her passion.  She was so proud of her family and was present at every important event. She was an involved Mother and had day to day contact with all her children.  When Shirley Ann learned to text, her world expanded. She stayed connected to family and friends all over the country, of all ages and backgrounds.  It was truly remarkable how many people genuinely enjoyed and looked forward to her long, rambling and typo-filled texts.  It didn’t matter, because in every single one she showered them with love and praise and encouragement.  A text from this wise and loving woman…Mom, Grandma, Aunt, friend would really help you get through the day.
     Shirley lived in a variety places during her lifetime…returning to Danville several times. The last time she left Danville was in 1985 and she returned 13 years ago.  For more than 12 of those years, she lived at English Arms Apartments on Vermilion St.  She loved her time there. She made so many friends. She cooked and cared for many of the residents and greatly appreciated Sandy Morgan, the manager there. When Shirley left to move to Bowman Estates she was greatly missed. Shirley loved living at Bowman Estates. She felt blessed to be there, surrounded by so many loving caregivers.  She was especially close to her CNA, Stacey White, and Andrea Porter of housekeeping.  She was thrilled that Andrea kept food in the birdfeeder of her favorite birds (her babies) perched in the tree outside her window.  Stacey became a favorite early on, due to her kind and caring heart and similar sense of humor. Stacey was there to hold Shirley’s hand as she passed.  The family is eternally grateful.  
     Visitation will be held at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Westville, Illinois 414 S State St. Westville, Illinois 61883 from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm on Saturday, July 17.  Following the visitation, all those who were “Shirley” blessed are invited to participate in an uplifting service, celebrating her life beginning at 2:00 pm.  An early supper and reception will immediately follow at Bella Marie’s Banquet Center at 1520 N. State St. (at the corner of Kelly Avenue).  Friends and family are encouraged to have fun, dress cheerfully (Shirley loved leopard print…just saying) and join her family in joyfully honoring her memory.  Shirley Ann will be laid to rest at Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery on a later date.
     Flowers can be ordered from Anker Florist in Danville (217) 442-0226 or memorial donations can be sent in C/O Shirley Ann Supancic to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org or to Daylight Church in Louisville, KY at www.daylightchurch.com.  Please join the family in sharing memories through her Tribute Wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.

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