Shirley Gourley Burd
"If I touched one life, then it all would have been worthwhile"
Shirley Gourley Burd passed away Friday, November 25, 2022, peacefully at her home surrounded by her family. She was born on August 12, 1936, the daughter of the late Mary and Elwood Gourley.
She grew up in the Dover area and graduated from Caesar Rodney High School. She loved her classmates and seeing them at their monthly meetings. Following graduation, she began her nine-year career at Playtex where she received several Cost Saving Awards. She and her husband started the Burd Paving Company which extended over a 50-year period. With this career move, Shirley left Playtex and became the bookkeeper of their business.
Shirley enjoyed canning and cooking, especially strawberry short bread. Having family dinners during the holidays gave her great pleasure. Other hobbies included painting, crocheting, sewing, making floral arrangements, sharing meals with family and friends. She enjoyed taking care of everyone. Her brother Pete called her the nurse of the family.
She enjoyed working in her flowers, mowing, and going with her husband, George, to the Historical Vintage Car Shows in their 1928 Chevrolet. One of her favorite things to do was going camping to Frontier Land with her son George and his dog Bella. She loved spending time with her son Douglas and wife Valerie who were her caregivers until her death. She found so much joy with Kaleb, Jessica and Kasie, grandchildren and Riley, great granddaughter.
She was a member of London Village Baptist Church.
In addition to her parents; Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, George; son, George T. Burd III; sister, Marianna Luff; brother, Charles Pete; brother-in-laws, Watson Clough and Walker Luff; nephews, James Luff and Donald Luff; niece, Carol Clough.
Shirley is survived by her son, Douglas and wife Valerie; grandson, Kaleb and wife Jessica; granddaughter, Kasie Burd; great granddaughter, Riley Marie Burd; and sister, Margaret Clough. She is also survived by several nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews: and by special people, Jo-Allynn Satterfield-Loden, Shelby Burd, Melinda Burd and Autumn Gourley.
A special thank you is extended to: Kay Smith, her deacon Ray Couey and his wife Debbie, Fran McCready, Eva Dixon, Lori Harrison, John and Sylvia Dowell, Donald and Susan Hall, and Bobby McComsey.
A celebration of life will be held 2 p.m., on Saturday, December 3, 2022 at Torbert Funeral Chapel, 1145 Lebanon Road, Dover, Delaware. A public viewing will be held one hour prior to services. Interment will follow at Barrett's Chapel Cemetery, Frederica, Delaware.
In lieu of Flowers the family suggest contributions be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 669, New Castle, Delaware 19720.
Letters of condolence may be sent, and guestbook signed at www.torbertfuneral.com