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Shirley Romel Rau, formerly of Alpena, died peacefully on Sept. 25, 2026, at the age of 90 in Thornton, Colorado comfortably knowing she had lived a wonderful life. Born on March 14, 1936, daughter of Melvin and Theresa (Tracy) May, Shirley lived in Alpena for 85 years before moving to Colorado to live with her daughter Mary Romel and Jodie Henderson who were by her side when she passed. Shirley was married to Delbert J. Romel for 20 years and James W. Rau for 32 years.
Shirley was blessed with four children, three of whom Theresa (Terri), John and Paul preceded her in death. She is survived by daughter, Mary Romel of Thornton, CO, grandson Jason Romel and partner William Clinch of Killeen, TX, granddaughter Jordan Romel of Pensacola, FL, daughter-in-law Shari (Paul) Romel of Pensacola, FL, great granddaughter Kamdyn Romel of Bartlett, TN, step-daughter, Kathleen Rau Miner of West Branch MI, and extended family members Jodie Henderson of Thornton, CO, Janet Acheson of Midland, MI and Tessa Eaton of Bartlett, TN.
In her spare time Shirley enjoyed bowling, golfing, playing cards and board games. She enjoyed traveling and was fortunate to have traveled all over the world with her second husband. Additionally, she was able to go on a Mediterranean cruise with daughter Mary and several of Mary's friends, which she often referred to as the trip of a lifetime. The trip was filled with great memories, great food, amazing sightseeing and many laughs to include Nick Schaps trying to kill grandma with saki and tequila shots, according to the wait staff in the sushi restaurant onboard the ship.
Never one to pass up a good french fry, her outings in Denver, regardless of the purpose always involved a trip through a McDonalds drive thru where Shirley stuck to her routine of a large fry and small coke. In her later years she was able to go to local plays with Mary, Jodie and Jodie's mom Sandy Henderson and Annie Held. She participated in sometimes chaotic family dinners and still enjoyed a good glass of wine and even a margarita from time to time. Shirley also spent time reading with Jodie's 6-year-old grandson, Eli, and teaching him how to play card games, like war. Eli likewise enjoyed sharing facts from his books on trains and airplanes with Ms. Shirley and always took the time to visit with her when at the house.
Internment at Holy Cross Cemetery in Alpena will be held on June 12, 2027 at 11 a.m. Because she loved her pets, any donations can be made to the Huron Humane Society. McWilliams Funeral Home has assisted the family.