Shirley Ann Kimmel

Shirley Ann Kimmel, wife, mother and friend, died on May 7, 2014. Shirley was born in Chicago, Illinois December 18, 1926 to Rose and Ben Morris. Following a job opportunity for her father in Los Angeles, Shirley moved with her family to California when she was 16 years old. It was her father, who introduced her to Alfred Kimmel, having met him on a bowling team, who became her beloved husband July 18, 1948. Al and Shirley moved to the San Francisco Bay area to begin their lives together, to raise a family and to begin a family business, Kimmel's Furniture, in the Peninsula. Al and Shirley gave birth to Judith, Jerrol and Karyn.
Shirley was a lover of all artistic things, spent hours doing needle work and knitting afghans for her children and grandchildren. Shirley loved cooking, shopping, travel, movies, live theatre and enjoyed her mah jong with her friends. One of her greatest joys was her volunteer work in the gift shop at the Museum of the Desert for over 25 years. She was an active participant in Hadassah and her synagogue in Palm Desert where Al and Shirley lived in retirement. Shirley spent her last year residing in Aldersly Garden Retirement Community in San Rafael, California to be close to her family as she courageously navigated her challenging health conditions.
Shirley is survived by her brother, David and Marsha Morris; her children, Judith and husband George Mann, Jerrol Kimmel, and Karyn Ehlers; and her grandchildren, Josh Sullivan, Katie and Jay Gulmatico, Jesi Ehlers, Abby and Sean Ehlers.
There will be a memorial service in the Ramon Chapel at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, 69855 East Ramon Road, Cathedral City, CA 92234 on May 9, 2014 at 1:00pm with a reception to follow in the Ramon Room. The family asks in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Jewish Family Services or Angel View. Forest Lawn Cathedral City is in charge of arrangements.