Shirley Joyce Millgate, age 82, has been released from the smothering grasp of Alzheimer’s by the merciful hand of God. Her passing occurred at 10:35 a.m. Wednesday, August 28, 2019 at Provo Rehabilitation and Nursing where she resided for the past few years.

See 15 photos

Born to Theodore and Mavis (Shirley) Baer on May 10, 1937 in the city of Berkley California, she was the third of five children. Growing up near the bay area, she enjoyed camping, reading, Salmon fishing with her father, and raising rabbits. See also gained a “green” thumb from her father. She attended and graduated from Berkley High School in 1955. She then married, and the couple had four children. This marriage did not last and ended bitterly. In 1968 she met Don Leroy Millgate. He also had four children with his first wife who had tragically passed away. On December 1968 in the Oakland California Temple they married and formed one big “Yours and Mine” home having eight children! Needing a much bigger home, they bought a very large house in Richmond California and on December 13th 1973 Shirley gave birth to a little boy making a “Yours Mine and Ours” family. We give her huge credit for taking on this little army!

In the spring of 1976, Shirley and Don took their five girls and four boys moved to Utah. Here in Pleasant Grove, Shirley accomplished most of her giant task of raising her nine children. She also enjoyed membership as a Daughter of the Utah Pioneers, was active in the Pleasant Grove Garden Club, and became a Master Gardener through a course at the Provo Extension Service. Shirley and Don moved three more times, finally settling in their dream housed a bit of land in Fountain Green Utah. Shirley thoroughly enjoyed living here. She enjoyed the large yard, planting a lovely garden with many kinds of beautiful flowers, raising chickens, and pampering two fat kitties.

“The shadow of your smile when you are gone will color all [our] dreams and light the dawn…”

Throughout Shirley’s life, as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, she fulfilled many church callings, especially in Primary and Relief Society, she loved creative projects, reading, house plants, gardening, and all kinds of animals. She had a very beautiful voice and graced us all with her frequent singing while doing housework. And, we certainly can’t leave out how wonderful a cook she was. Her many talents along with her generous heart richly blessed all of us and her community.

Shirley is survived by her nine children; David, Eric, Tina, Kelly, Tami, Tracey, Mark, Rhonda, Jonathan, and her youngest brother Steve, along with 31? grandchildren and a whole gaggle of great grandchildren. She was preceded in death, and has had a grand reunion with, her loving husband Don, her Parents, two of her brothers; Ted and Dick, and her sister Linda.

Shirley will be honored by a viewing on Tuesday, September 3, 2019 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Olpin Family Mortuary, 494 S. 300 E, Pleasant Grove, Utah. Funeral services will be held the following day, Wednesday, September 4, 2019 at 1:00 pm in the LDS chapel located at 275 E 500 S, Pleasant Grove which is directly west of Olpin Family Mortuary. A viewing will precede the funeral service from 11:00 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. Interment will follow the funeral service and will take place at Wasatch Lawn cemetery, 3430 S. Highland Dr. Salt Lake City, Utah.

Please share any condolences and memories you have of Shirley on the Guestbook (https://www.thememories.com/obituary/shirley-joyce-baer-millgate/23594/guestbook).

Shirley… “The shadow of your smile when you are gone will color all [our] dreams and light the dawn…”