Shirley Gordon

Celebrating the Life of Shirley Ann Kerns Gordon 1932 – 2025 It is with great sadness that we share the peaceful passing of Shirley Ann Kerns Gordon February 11, 2025, at the age of 92.

Shirley was born in Davenport, IA to Edwin “Dick” and Theresa “Tess” Kerns. She was the oldest of five children. She attended Davenport High School and the University of Iowa, graduating with a degree in Education, and continued her educational quest at the University of Denver earning her Master’s Degree.

Shirley spent most of her life in Denver, Colorado working as a teacher/librarian for Denver Public Schools. There, she inspired countless young students to realize the joy of reading and find meaning in the books she would read to (and with) the children.

In addition to her educational career, Shirley was overjoyed to find satisfying work with the Colorado Rockies Baseball Team as a member of the frontline ticket office. She began her new twenty-five-year career their inaugural season! Here is where she made many meaningful and deep friendships with co-workers and fans alike.

Beyond her dedicated professional life, Shirley was an avid sports fan. Of course she loved the Rockies and was a super fan of the Denver Broncos with season tickets dating back to the sixties! Shirley was a member of Pinehurst Country Club for several decades where golfing was her passion and she enjoyed a lively social life. The Notre Dame Catholic Parish is where Shirley practiced the sincere love of her Faith.

Shirley is preceded in death by her parents, sisters Martha “Marty” Schellenger and Joyce Monro, and her son, Bruce Gordon. She is missed and survived by her sister Elizabeth “Jeanne” Sarver, brother Jim (wife Nancy) Kerns and sons Thomas, Stephen (wife Kelly) and Robert Gordon along with ten lovely grandchildren and two great grandchildren. She will be fondly remembered by all who had the pleasure of knowing her.

We are eternally grateful for the loving care she received from the unbelievably compassionate, caring and competent staff at the Manor on Marston Lake in Littleton, Colorado. She also received comforting, professional and dignified care from the All Seasons Hospice team for which the family is very thankful.

A Mass will be held at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Davenport to honor Shirley at 10am, February 28, 2025 with visitation held one hour prior in the gathering space at church. She will be buried next to her beloved parents at Mt Calvary Cemetery.

Our Denver celebration will be a joyous occasion at a Colorado Rockies game this summer. A fitting commemoration honoring the life of an independent, strong-willed and kindhearted woman!