April 21st, 1929 - July 7th, 2022
Shirley Alice Wise was born April 21, 1929 in the small Ohio town of Van Wert, the third child and only daughter of Moses and Goldia Wise. Shirley’s mom and dad were very musical providing the music for local square dances and events – Moses on the fiddle and Goldia on the piano. Shirley followed in their musical footsteps, playing the piano as well as the clarinet all through school. Shirley had a beautiful alto voice and sang in her church choir for many years.
In her late teens/early 20s, Shirley sang and played the chimes with a small musical group called The Chimes Hour that hosted a half-hour weekly radio show on Sundays. It was in The Chimes Hour where she met Richard Cupp, and they were married in November of 1953. Between 1955 and 1960, Dick and Shirley had 4 daughters, moving to Orlando, Florida in 1960. Shirley and the family lived in Florida for 10 years, relocating to Boulder, Colorado in 1970. Shirley missed the ocean and beach very much, but over the years came to adore the beauty of Colorado. Shirley worked 40 years at Boulder National Bank (now US Bank).
Shirley officially retired at 70 but continued to work part-time until she was 80 years old.
Shirley absolutely loved big band music -- the music of her youth -- particularly the songs of Glenn Miller. She danced to it as a young woman, and then again later in life. Every Saturday night, you could find Shirley and her best friend, Gloria, at local big band dances in the Denver area. Shirley was a great dancer – we knew it, and she knew it too.
Perhaps the characteristic we remember most about Shirley was her big heart. Shirley was a giver. When her children were young, she volunteered as a school nurse, regularly cared for elderly neighbors and was a girl scout leader (even letting the group set up “cookie central” in her garage). While Shirley worked at the bank, she served for many years as the Prime Time Club director, essentially taking care of and customizing service to elderly customers. Beyond her banking obligations, Shirley hosted social events for this group, visited elderly customers when they were sick, took flowers and cookies to them if/when they were moved to assisted living facilities, and never forgot them on a birthday or holiday. Later in life, Shirley volunteered at Longmont United Hospital in the adult daycare center and the maternity ward.
She had a keen eye for discerning people (and animals) in need, whether it was a mother who needed help with young ones in the grocery, an elderly man trying to navigate a door into a store, a homeless person on the street, or a lost dog in a neighborhood. Shirley would jump into action to assist in any way she could.
As a mom and grandma, Shirley was beloved. Along with her never-ending kindness and compassion, she attended many, many sporting events, music and dance recitals, band concerts, graduations, award ceremonies, school plays, and cheerleading competitions. Shirley loved to travel and was always game for a trip with her girls, especially if it included a beach and an ocean. Shirley loved animals (furry ones, that is). She had cherished cats her whole life,
but also loved dogs, big and small. Shirley had a great sense of humor, loved to laugh, and came up with little quips that set everyone giggling. She lived a long, full, and beautiful life and will be so missed by everyone that knew and loved her.
A celebration of life will be held on July 31 at 3:00 p.m. at Longs Peak United Methodist Church, 1421 Elmhurst Dr., Longmont.
In lieu of flowers, Shirley would appreciate donations be made to Longmont Humane Society in her name at https://www.longmonthumane.org/donate/memorials-tributes/
