Shirley A. (Grace) Ellicott, beloved mom, grandma, and great-grandma passed away peacefully, at age 86, on June 19, 2023, in Ypsilanti, MI, attended by her loving family and caregivers.

Shirley was born May 3, 1937, to Victor and Erma (Estermyer) Grace in Ypsilanti, MI. She was the oldest of three daughters. Shirley was a life-long resident of the Ypsilanti area. She attended grades K-5 in a one-room schoolhouse near her family home, then continued her secondary education in the town of Milan where she graduated from Milan High School in 1955. She went on to attend Cleary College where she received a degree in Bookkeeping and was employed by Arbor Spring and Big George's Appliance in Ann Arbor. Once her youngest child was in school full-time, she went back to school and received her LPN certification in 1974. Her career as a nurse included working at UofM hospital, Whitehall Nursing Home, several area physicians' offices, and providing hospice care. In 1957 she met the love of her life, Frederick L. Ellicott, and they were wed on June 20, 1959 in Milan, MI.

In 1962 Fred and Shirley built their own home and raised their family in it. Shirley enjoyed being a homemaker and was both a Brownie and a 4-H leader, where she taught sewing, knitting, cooking and preserving food. She and her husband were members of a Euchre club; they also enjoyed square-dancing, bowling, camping and traveling, attending UofM football and basketball games and in retirement, attending as many of their grandchildren and great-grandchildren's activities as they could. Shirley was a member of Stony Creek United Methodist church in Ypsilanti for 73 years. She served many roles including being part of the Care-Bear Corp, a member of the Ways and Means committee, and leading monthly chicken dinners to help raise funds for a new sanctuary. Shirley was famous for her homemade apple pies. She led by example, taking care of others and helping in her community as often as she could. Shirley enjoyed socializing with her many friends and when asked what was most important to her, she always said: "Being with family".

She is survived by her three children, Kimberly Ellicott of Ann Arbor, Kevin (Nena) Ellicott of Saline, and Kari (Gary) Bonds of Saline; seven grandchildren, Shannon (Ryan) Cooper, Tara (Ethan) Uhl, Kyle Ellicott, Eric (Claira) Ellicott, Erin Ellicott, Rachel (John) Young, and Kaitlin Bonds; eight great-grandchildren, Reece, Presley, Lucy, Lillia, Arthur, Aiden, Walter, and Levi. Her youngest sister, Dianne (David) Bliss and several nieces and nephews also survive. She was preceded in death by her husband Fred of 61 years, her parents Victor and Erma Grace, and her sister Dolores (William) Moebs.

The family will receive visitors on Monday, June 26, 2023 from 4-8pm at Stark Funeral Professionals in Ypsilanti, MI.

The funeral service will be held on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, at 11am with visitation from 10am to the time of service at Stark Funeral Professionals and will be officiated by Rev. Michael Vollmer. Burial will take place at Forest Hill Cemetery in Ann Arbor, MI.

Memorial contributions may be made in her name to Stony Creek United Methodist Church (8635 Stony Creek Rd., Ypsilanti, MI 48197) or Alzheimer's Association ( Online or by mail: 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601). To view funeral via livestream, click on https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4ArTt3Jd5Nfmm9UrIIJt-w .