Shirley Jean Mitchell Duce obituary

Shirley Jean Duce, age 85, passed away peacefully at home March 29, 2021, surrounded by her five loving children. She was born May 29, 1935, in Shelley, Idaho to Roland and Thelma Mitchell and worked hard on the family farm. She met Jerald Duce while attending Firth High School and married soon after graduation. They built a beautiful home in Shelley, lived in Tremonton, Utah, and raised their family in Richland, Washington. After retirement, they spent 15 years in Hamilton, Montana before returning to Richland.

Mom valued hard work and was blessed with a long life of boundless energy. She lived selflessly with integrity and service to others. She was humble, kind, and loving. She noticed and enjoyed the simple pleasures in life. Never complaining and always thanking, she had a quick wit, a signature laugh and well-timed humor. She loved gardening and was a talented seamstress giving away most of her creations. She appreciated order and cleanliness, and continually pursued life-long learning. Above all, she loved little children.

Later in life she earned her college degree and realized her dream of becoming a teacher. She could have earned several advanced degrees with all the credits earned through continuing education. She was revered as one of the best-loved Kindergarten teachers in Richland where she taught for nearly 20 years. Prior to that, she was instrumental in developing and running Columbia Basin College’s early childhood preschool programs. For her, teaching was as natural as breathing air, and she was still teaching her children up until her final breath on earth.

She was a faithful and devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and held many positions of service throughout her life, primarily teaching young children. She wrote, “I pray constantly for my children and grandchildren… I want them to feel a legacy of love from Heavenly Father, their own parents, and from me their grandmother.â€

Shirley was recently preceded in death by her husband Jerald Duce, and her sister Mavanee Steele (just 2 weeks prior) as well as 3 grandsons and 1 great-grandson. She is survived by her brothers Jack and Derryle Mitchell and sister Yolon Stolworthy. She is also survived by her daughters: Sheila (Noel Peine) of Sagle, Idaho, and their children Ryan, Shaun, Kristyn, Ranonya and Shardan; Kathy (Art Carlson) of Benton City, Washington and their children Amber, Aaron, Sarah, and Daniel; Lisa Stade of Benton City and her children Chelsey, Haley, and Rachelle; and Jerri Smith of Richland and her children Lynsey, Kaylene, and Daniel. And her son Jay (Stacie Duce) of Hamilton, Montana and their children Rylie, Baylie, BreAnn, Landon, Jaycie, Brayden, Lexie, and Leah. Plus, 38 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great granddaughter and many nephews and nieces who were deeply loved and cherished.

Family and friends are invited to visit Friday, April 2, 2021, from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm at Einan’s Funeral Home. Services will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1720 Thayer Drive in Richland on Saturday, April 3, 2021, at 11:30 am followed by interment at Einan’s at Sunset Gardens at 1:00 pm. Our Easter weekend memorial would not be complete without an egg hunt for the children – one of her favorite traditions. In her memory, be sure to enjoy the lilacs this Spring and read a book to a child.