Shirley Anderson was born to parents Earnesto and Basalisa in Olongapo Philippines. She grew up with traditional Filipino values of family. The first of 6, she grew up always helping her younger siblings, and continued through school, into adulthood, and immigration to the United States. Shirley was the first to graduate college, and first to leave the Philippines to come to the United States.

But more than that, you were the glue that held our family together. Family barbeques didn't happen without you. With 5 of 6 siblings and their families in tow, the importance of family passed down from Lola to you was felt with your laughter on many perpetual summers in southern California. And even in the twilight of life, the importance of family was never far from your thoughts. Moving to Minnesota and creating a divide still didn't deter your responsibility to keeping the family together.

As the perceived head of the family, you always spoke with authority and a gentility that felt like a bat to the head and a humor that only made sense to you. More than that, love for family still was felt in every word spoken. Any time you were needed by family you were there. From moving from state to state, military commencement ceremonies, college graduations and regular visits to the Church of Sycuan, family for you was never far away.

While life and the family will go on without you. You will be missed. But your presence is still felt. Saying goodbye to you is the hardest thing. But a simple shake of your head and flick of your wrist is another gentle reminder that you will never be far away but still be present when we need you.

We miss you more than you know. We love you.