Shirley Marie Kahan

Shirley Marie Kahan, 89, died peacefully at home on Sunday, February 24, 2013, surrounded by her loving family.
Shirley was born on April 13, 1923 in Seattle, Washington to Leata Fern and Lowell Burton Jackson. She grew up on the Jackson family farm in Ferndale, Washington. After high school, Shirley earned her nursing degree to qualify as a Pan American Airlines (PAA) stewardess. Because of her nursing background, Shirley was drafted by the Army during WWII and served in the US Cadet Nursing Corps. Shirley enjoyed many adventures as a stewardess, attending to passengers on the long flights from Seattle to Alaska on the unpressurized Boeing “Clippers.” While still a PAA stewardess, Shirley met the love of her life, the dashing Del Kahan.
After Shirley and Del married, they left Seattle for balmy Southern California. In 1965, Shirley and Del moved their family to the Bayshores Community of Newport Beach. In Newport, Shirley worked part-time as a nurse with Harbor Pediatrics for over 40 years. In later years, Shirley enjoyed tennis, lawn bowling, hummingbird-tending, gardening, and floral arrangement. She also served for many years as volunteer coordinator of the flower guild at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church. Shirley’s church community was the source of cherished friendships and spiritual solace, especially following the death of her husband, Del, in 2008 and middle daughter, Teri, in 2012.
Shirley is survived by eldest daughter, Tracey Kahan; youngest daughter, Toni Bushong and her husband, Roger; sister Beverly Behme; brother Lawrence Jackson and his wife Marlene; sister-in-law Margie Suskin; grandchildren Casey, Skylar, and Spencer; and many nieces and nephews.
Shirley was the ideal wife, mother, friend, nurse, and neighbor. Her loving-kindness, generosity of spirit, welcoming heart, and beautiful smile will be deeply missed.
Shirley’s life will be celebrated Friday, April 19th, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 600 St Andrews Rd., Newport Beach, CA 92663, with service 1-2 pm in Grace Chapel, reception 2-4 pm in Dierenfield Hall.
Memorial contributions are preferred to the Myelodysplastic Syndromes Foundation (MDS), The MDS Foundation, 4573 South Broad St. Suite 150, Yardville, NJ 08620, or to a charity of the donor’s choice.