Shirley Graves Lehr, 67, of Littleton, Colorado passed away at Sheridan Manor on Friday, November 6, 2009.

Shirley was born on July 30, 1942 in Sheridan, Wyoming to Richard "Dick" and Esther Graves. She married Leon Lehr, had four children and later divorced. She was a member of the Sheridan Class of 1960, received her GED and obtained an Associate’s Degree in Science and Math from the Community College of Denver. She worked as an Administrator for various companies like the Consul of the Netherlands, Polaris Resources and J.D. Edwards over her career. She retired in 2000.

Shirley enjoyed the mountains and loved nothing better than to read a book overlooking a lake. She "loved the sunshine" including everything from sunbathing, swimming, and boating. Shirley took great pride in her children and her 12 grandchildren. All of her grand kids remember her reading them Green Eggs and Ham, her favorite children’s book. Her family fondly remembers sitting around the table playing a competitive game of cards. Shirley was an avid bridge player and belonged to many bridge clubs over the years. She loved flowers and her summer garden was always colorful and plentiful. Shirley had a strong survival instinct that allowed her to overcome a heart attack at age 42. She will be best remembered for her zest for living and laughter.

Shirley was preceded in death by her father, Dick Graves and nephew Jody Tracy.

Survivors include her mother, Esther Graves Badgett of Sheridan, Wyoming; sister, Sharon Tracy of Sheridan, Wyoming; children Lynne (Don) Lehr-Buck of Denver, Colorado, Lorraine Leipold of Annapolis, Maryland, Greg (Jill) Lehr of San Diego, California, Lance (Andrea) Lehr of Erie, Pennsylvania; grandchildren Kelly and Sandy Buck of Denver, Colorado, Nicole (John) Herring of Denver, Colorado, Katie and Elizabeth Leipold of Annapolis, Maryland, Alexandra and Briana Lehr of San Diego, California and Ashley, Jennifer, Emily, Andrew, Christopher Lehr of Erie, Pennsylvania; great-grandchildren Jonah Herring of Denver, Colorado; several aunts, uncles and cousins; nieces Jandee Locke, Tonya Aksamit, Shannon Tracy and nephew Shane Tracy all of Sheridan, Wyoming.

Graveside Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, November 9, 2009 at the Sheridan Municipal Cemetery with Pastor Scott Lee officiating. A luncheon from 11:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. will be held for family and friends at the Holiday Inn Sugarland Mining Company.

In lieu of flowers memorials in honor of Shirley may be sent to The Raymond Wentz Foundation, P.O. Box 9039, Denver, CO 80209, www.raymondwentz.com.

Kane Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.

SheridanMedia.com - November 7, 2009.