Shirley Schwartz James died peacefully surrounded by family on September 1, 2021 shortly after celebrating her 97th birthday. She was born August 18, 1924 in Maywood California the fourth of five children to Benjamin and Rose Schwartz both of Jewish Descent. At the age of two her parents moved their little family back to New York where they had originally lived to take care of her Mother's sister who was suffering from cancer. Her father got a job working for the railroad and all went well until 1929 when the great depression hit. This was a very difficult time for her and her family. She would talk about how poor they were and how hard it was for her father to find work. She did well in school and wanted to be a school teacher someday. Right before she graduated from Brooklyn High School Japan bombed Pearl Harbor and again her life became unsettled. They had blackouts after dark and air-raid drills. When they sounded the sirens, no matter where you were you would have to find shelter. One week after graduating Shirley got a job typing insurance forms. She used this money to help her family pay bills. Later she found another job she enjoyed doing in a typing pool with 25 other typists. After three months she was promoted to the boss's secretary. At 21 years old, Shirley met John Stanley Huntington from Beaver, Utah while he was stationed in the Coast Guard. They were married March of 1946 aboard his ship. Shortly after the war ended the newlyweds moved out west where their first son, John Charles Huntington was born in Cedar City Utah. They would then welcome a daughter, Carol Sue Young in 1951 in Nyssa, OR and a son David Allen Huntington in 1954 in Norwalk, CA. In 1954 after several sets of missionaries came to their home Shirley converted to Christianity and joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Over the years she served in many callings in the church such as a secretary for the young woman's, compassionate service leader in the Relief Society and a visiting teacher. In 1955 John and Shirley bought a house in Glendora, CA, where they lived for the next 12 years. John got a job working for Union Pacific Railroad. After her first marriage ended in 1967 she met and married Donald Leroy James. They lived in several places including Nampa, ID, Las Vegas, NV, and eventually settled in San Marcos, CA. She spent thirty years of her life working in the secretarial field. She loved sewing, knitting, crocheting, music and live entertainment. One of her favorite things was spoiling her grandchildren and will be remembered for all the cards, packages, and phone calls she made throughout the years. She loved spending time with her family and friends, walking, swimming, and playing cards up at their cabin in Terrace Lakes near Crouch, ID. Shirley is survived be her son John (Ila) Huntington of Eugene, OR and daughter Carol (Scott) Young of Nampa, ID and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Donald and Son David. There will be a viewing at 10:30am on Tuesday, September 7,2021 at the Melba Cemetery with a graveside service following at 11:00am.
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