Obituary of Shirley Ann O'Rourke

Shirley Ann Polcyn was born in Toledo, Ohio on January 17, 1943 from the union of William and Bernice (Kury) Polcyn.  She graduated in 1961 from Libbey High School in Toledo, Ohio.  On June 13, 1964, Shirley married the love of her life Patrick F. O’Rourke (Rocky) at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Toledo, Ohio.

Shirley and Patrick would eventually make their home in Michigan moving from Ohio in 1976. The couple would be blessed with four beautiful children.  Shirley loved to work and spent more than fifteen years at Carson Department Store.   Her family referred to her as “Retail Queen”.

Shirley was one of fifteen members of the Toledo, Ohio Bunco Club being active for sixty years.  She was a member of St. John’s Catholic church in Monroe.   Shirley loved to shop, loved gardening, and tending to her flowers.   She truly enjoyed spending time at her lake house on Lake Erie.

Shirley loved all holidays but especially enjoyed decorating for Halloween and Christmas.  She owned and operated the “Little Store” in North Shores where you could always get the best gossip.   She was excited that Bob Seger once visited her store.   She loved all music with her favorite artist being Neil Diamond.   She loved her Golden Retriever “Darby” and just truly loved the company of others, none more so than her own grandchildren.

Shirley Ann O’Rourke, age 78, of LaSalle, Michigan passed away peacefully on Monday; July 5, 2021 at the IHM Healthcare Center in Monroe.   In addition to her own passing, she was preceded by her parents; and a sister:  Christine DeMars.

To cherish her memory; she leaves her beloved husband of fifty-seven years; Patrick F. O’Rourke: one son:  Patrick “PK” (Elizabeth) O’Rourke of Monroe; three daughters:  Kelley (Robert) Copp of LaSalle, Shanny (David) O’Rourke Scherf of Middle Bass, Ohio and Katy (Tim) O’Rourke-Ayres of Mason, MI;   thirteen grandchildren:  Olive O’Rourke Scherf, Brendon Scherf  Kyle, Kalon and Kane Ayres, Justin (Tina) Copp, Christopher James “CJ” Zarecki, Krista (Jeremy) Fournier, MacKenzie (Jack) Henderson, Conor Copp, Brady Copp, Ryleigh (Fiance Cody Loveland) O’Rourke, and Delaney and Quinn O’Rourke; two great grandchildren:  Owen and Cole Loveland; and her brother:  Charles (Sally) Polcyn of Bowling Green, Ohio.

Friends may gather on Thursday July 8, 2021 from 2:00pm-5:00pm at Merkle Funeral Service, South Monroe, 14567 South Dixie Highway, Monroe, Michigan 48161 (734) 241-7070.  A Celebration of Her Life will be held at 5:00pm Thursday; July 8, 2021 also at Merkle’s with Deacon Mike Stewart of St.Mary’s Catholic Church as Celebrant.

The O’Rourke family would like to thank the Northwest Hospice and the IHM Healthcare Center and all its staff for the wonderful care and compassion they provided Shirley.

Memorials for those who desire are suggested to the Monroe Humane Society or to the IHM Healthcare Center.   Online guests may visit www.merklefs.com.