Shirley Masters

Shirley (Mullen) Masters died peacefully in her home on May 10, 2023 at the age of 80 with her family close and her dog, Beamer, by her side. 

On April 3^rd, 1943, Shirley Louise Anderson was born in Joliet, Illinois to her parents Mary Lou (Erickson) Anderson and Charles August Anderson.  Shirley is survived by her brother- Don Charles Anderson, his wife Luyen, and Shirley’s nephews, Randy and Ryan Anderson.

Shirley graduated Joliet Township High School in 1961 before attending the Radiologic Technology Training Program at Silver Cross Hospital.   She worked at Silver Cross for 7 years.

In 1967 she married Dr. Wylie H. Mullen and became a stepmother to his four children. (Dennis Mullen, Barbra (Mullen) LeZotte, Nancy (Mullen) Hall, and Sue (Mullen) Davis.  Shirley and Wylie were happily married for 32 years until his death in 2006.  During their marriage, Shirley and Wylie traveled extensively around the world.

In 2008, Shirley married Stephen Mayer Masters.  Shirley and Steve were happily married until his death in 2020.  Shirley has remained very close and has a wonderful relationship with Steve’s children (Karen Wilson, Barbara McShane, Stephen Masters, and Frank Masters) and many grandchildren.

Shirley has been an active member of the Joliet community, namely as a member of the Women’s Study Club since 1989, the Lightways Hospice Guild since 2002, and an associate member of Childerguild, the womens’ philanthropic organization that supports Silver Cross Hospital.  Shirley is a longtime member of St. John’s Lutheran Church and was a member of the Altar Guild.

Shirley will be remembered as a loving, committed wife, a supportive and kind stepmother, and a doting and fun grandmother to her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  She was a loyal friend to many and a philanthropist, supporting charities that were near and dear to her heart.  Those who knew her will miss her beautiful laugh, her love of traveling, gardening, and shopping, and her spirit.  She will not be forgotten.

Shirley’s visitation will be held at Blackburn- Giegerich-Sonntag Funeral Home on Sunday, May 21^st from 1-4pm.  Funeral Services will be held Monday, May 22, at 10:00 a.m. at St. John Lutheran Church.   Private interment, Woodlawn Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made in Shirley’s memory to the Lightways Hospice Guild.