SHIRLEY LEONA CARR

Shirley Leona Carr (LaVasser), age 95, of Alpena, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Oct. 23, 2023, under the compassionate care of the staff at Turning Brook Assisted Living and hospice.

Born on Dec. 21, 1927, in Alpena, Shirley was the daughter of the late Arthur and Beatrice (Dubey) LaVasser. A proud graduate of Alpena High School’s class of 1946, Shirley pursued her passion for caregiving and graduated from Saginaw General Hospital School of Nursing, earning her nursing certification on Jan. 31, 1951.

Upon being discharged in 1948 after serving for seven years, Clayton Carr returned home to save his parents’ farm in Hubbard Lake. Fate brought Clayton and Shirley together when she returned home during her nursing training in Saginaw. Their farms were neighboring, located at Hubbard Lake Road and Kleve Road. Despite a 10-year age difference, love blossomed between them, and on Feb. 2, 1952, they joyfully tied the knot. Their bond resulted in a loving family of seven children.

In her professional life, Shirley was dedicated to her role at Alpena General Hospital. While she worked in various capacities during her early career, she notably served as an RN supervisor on the second shift emergency receiving for many years. Whenever possible, she would visit pediatrics to hold young babies, finding it a therapeutic way to decompress from her often stressful shifts.

Shirley was an active member of the Trinity Episcopal Church of Alpena and enjoyed playing Bolivia with friends and family. She also treasured the Sunday family dinners, relishing in the joy and closeness of her loved ones. Her baking skills, especially her apple pies and homemade bread, were a treat cherished by many.

She was preceded in death by her devoted husband, Clayton, and their son, Richard Carr. Left to cherish her memory are her six children: Howard (Mary Ann) Carr, Karen Biehl, Anita (Joseph) Krot, Curtis Carr, Mitchell (Kendra) Carr, and Charles (Dawn) Carr. Shirley’s legacy lives on in her 12 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Also surviving is one sister, Norma Hanna.

Preceded in death by sisters Marion (Donald) Cochrane, Betty (Junior) Brandenburg, Vivian (Alfonso) Reo, Emily LaVasser, brother William (Kitty) LaVasser; brother-in-law, Robert Hanna.

Visitation will take place Thursday at Bannan Funeral Home from 2-8 p.m. and where the funeral service will be held on Friday at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Bruce Michaud officiating.

Interment: Evergreen Cemetery

Memorials: Trinity Episcopal Church or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital