Funeral Details

I have known Shirley all my life. She and my mother became best friends in their 20's shortly after my mother immigrated from Europe. Shirley helped my mother navigate life in America and I appreciate that. They enjoyed a fun social life before and after their marriages. After my mother passed my family remained close with Shirley and Irwin including them in weddings and other events. Shirley had a very unique personality unlike anyone I know. I visited her last month. Her memory was way better than mine as she recalled an incredible amount of events from my childhood. Her wit and sarcasm was hilarious and spot-on as it always had been. I will miss her. She was one of a kind.
Rhonda (Lavin) Tadelman



Rhonda Tadelman

Shirley and Irwin were the best of friends to our parents Dagmar and Harvey, and our entire family, and we loved them very much. Shirley was one of the kindest persons I have every known. My father was also very fond of Shirley's father, Jack, who I think use to cut my hair. Shirley and Irwin were witnesses at my wedding. I will always remember how Shirley appreciated our families holiday card each year.. May her memory be eternal. Love Michael.

Michael Lavin

Over 60 years of memories rushing back all at once. Shirley and Irwin were there for birthdays, graduations, vacations - like Nippersink, dinners, providing college and other guidance, even where to visit here in Colorado in the 90's. We finally moved here last year. I remember her father Jack Kapeak, smoking cigars indoors daily. We celebrated early birthdays together with their daughters, Merle and Paula. Irwin bought me my first baseball glove in 1963 when my father was very sick. Irwin took all the pictures for our important events, incl. Bar Mitzvahs. Shirley bought me my watch when I graduated from Loyola in 1985. I have all my mother's childhood pictures, including Shirley in her 20's in a bathing suit at a Chicago beach. I'm glad Shirley and I were able to go to a White Sox game a few years ago, when she was only 88. Shirley was unique, having such a sharp wit, strong personality and mental acuity, even at 96. She always talked about her grand and great-grand kids. She was a great example of positive thinking, being active (walking up to the third floor after driving and picking up groceries), playing cards, visiting with friends and lunches. Never complained about anything. I miss her and Irwin a lot. They were both a huge influence and blessing on our family - including my brother Michael, and sisters, Rhonda and Caryn.

Richard Lavin

I have known Shirley for over 60 years. When I was a child, our families lived in the same large apartment building on the west side of Chicago. Our family became very friendly with Shirley as well as two other families that Shirley had helped adjust to life in America after they immigrated from Europe. All the children "hung out" daily and the adults played card games, held movie nights and just visited to spend time together. We continued our friendships even after all four of our families moved to different places of the Chicago area. Shirley never aged. She drove, played cards, spent time with her many friends, and could hold a meaningful conversation about current events. She insisted on staying in her third floor apartment, shopping, and doing her laundry downstairs. . Fortunately, she had wonderful neighbors that watched out for her. I last saw Shirley in April when I was in Chicago. We had a tradition of getting together with our longtime friends for dinner and poker each time I was in town. Shirley was her same old wonderful self. She was never shy to voice an opinion about a particular poker strategy and always had a plethora of different poker games to suggest. Everything seemed to be ok that evening. It's hard to believe that Shirley is gone, but I will always have wonderful memories of our times together and I feel so fortunate to have known her.

Donna Arquilla

Sending deepest condolences to the entire family. Aunt Shirley was truly a treasure and cherished in the Turbov family. She will truly be missed. Always in our hearts forever.

Pamela and Neil Turbov

Our deepest sympathies to Paula and Merle and their families. We so appreciated Aunt Shirley and Uncle Irwin when we were growing up, and also Shirley's very kind letter to us recently. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Anne Kraus and Jane Turbov

Anne Kraus

My name is Edith Williams, and my family has had the privilege of being friends with Shirley since 1949, when we arrived in this country after the war. From that moment, a deep bond formed between our families, and we became more than just friends; we became like family.

In those early years, we lived in a divided apartment, a common occurrence in the aftermath of the war. Shirley, along with her parents and daughter Merle, resided in the front apartment, while we occupied the rear. Despite the physical separation, our hearts were intertwined, and we shared countless cherished moments together. Shirley's mother and my own were the best of friends, and our families seemed to always live within a few blocks of each other.

After the loss of her mother, Shirley and her father moved to Monroe Street on the west side of Chicago. As fate would have it, we found ourselves living across the court in the same building. It was during this time that Shirley married Irwin Turbov, and they eventually moved to Albany Park, where their second daughter, Paula, was born. Paula and my sister were born only a year apart, and so Shirley would visit our apartment nearly every day. Shirley and my mother were like sisters, and as the years went by, Shirley became a beloved member of our family, and I regarded her as an aunt.

Shirley and Irwin often graced our house with their presence, especially during Jewish holidays, where lively debates between Shirley and my father would ensue. They would argue about any topic under the sun, both relishing the intellectual stimulation that came with their discussions. Shirley's spirited nature and unwavering positivity shone through, making her a captivating presence. She had a passion for championing the underdog and engaging in dialogues about politics, sports, and confronting issues of racism and antisemitism. As a proud liberal, she fearlessly stood up for her beliefs, engaging in friendly battles of wits until she emerged victorious, whatever her point of view may have been.

Shirley had an expansive social circle, and she cherished her time with friends. Her involvement in the couples club, her love for musical shows—particularly jazz—and her passion for playing cards brought her immeasurable joy. But amidst all of her varied interests, her greatest love was her family. Shirley's heart swelled with love for her two daughters and their husbands, Merle and Mark Williams, Paula and Ray Nemmura , and the generations that followed: Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren Debbie, David, Danny his wife Carla, Diana, Gabriel, Alex Irwin, Daniel, Tony, and Molly. They were the center of her universe. Their happiness brought her boundless joy and fulfillment.

For me personally, Shirley played an immensely important role in my life, and her absence will be deeply felt. I will forever cherish the memories of our weekend outings to places like the Brookfield Zoo, the Museum of Science and Industry, and the Field Museum. Those moments during my childhood in which I spent with Shirley, Irwin, and Merle were precious, especially since my own parents rarely had the opportunity to join us. After our adventures, we would often find ourselves at a fast food joint, like Dave's Red Hots or McDonald's, creating even more lasting memories.

Let us remember Shirley as a beacon of strength, optimism, and unwavering determination. She lived her life fully, embracing her passions, engaging in meaningful conversations, and cherishing the connections she shared with family and friends. Shirley Turbov leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, adventure, and a relentless pursuit of justice. Though our hearts ache with her departure, may we find solace in the profound impact she had on our lives and carry her spirit within us as we continue our own journeys.

Shirley, thank you for the beautiful memories and the enduring love you bestowed upon us. Rest in peace, dear friend ,as you are re-united with Irwin, knowing that you will be missed greatly and forever remembered.

In closing, I want to share this quote "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." — Maya Angelou






Edith Williams

My deepest sympathy to Shirley's family. I just now learned of her passing. My name is Harriett Mann, my sister was Millie Pine who had known Shirley since 4th grade. When I last spoke to Shirley she said she still calls Millie at 10pm to discuss their daily goings on and to play Scrabble. I met Shirley later in life and loved her the moment I met her. Our love for Millie bonded us and I cherish the times we got together for lunch and talked on the phone.
I am greatly sorry to hear of her passing, She will be greatly missed.

Harriett Mann

We just learned of Shirley’s passing. What a great lady! She and Irwin would take my late sister with developmental disabilities out frequently. They were both amazing friends!

Georgene and Al Ross and Lifchultz