Shirlee Flug Obituary

Shirlee Jean (Wilcox) Flug passed away peacefully on June 24, 2025, in Vancouver, Washington, after a five-year journey with dementia. Shirlee will be missed for her bigger than life personality, sense of humor, spirit of adventure and booming laugh.
Shirlee was born in Canton, Ohio, in 1938 the daughter of Clarence and Mary (Hein) Wilcox. During the summer of 1944 Shirlee moved to Salem, Oregon, with her parents and settled into a house that is now part of the State Capitol Mall. Shirlee shared many stories of adventures she had playing in Mill Creek and surrounding areas. Shirlee attended Garfield Elementary School, Parrish Junior High and was in the second class to graduate from North Salem High after the split of Salem High into North and South.
As a youth, Shirlee was an avid swimmer. She swam competitively for the YMCA swim team and also participated in their synchronized swimming program. Shirlee worked as a lifeguard for the YMCA and taught swimming lessons there also. This may be where Shirlee first developed her passion for teaching. Following graduation from high school, Shirlee attended OCE, now Western Oregon University to pursue a degree in elementary education. While attending OCE, Shirlee continued her swimming career by swimming for the college team on a partial scholarship.
Shirlee graduated with a BS in elementary education in the spring of 1960. Shirlee pursued her teaching vocation in Sweet Home, Oregon, at Long Street Elementary, Salem, Oregon at Englewood Elementary, Independence, Oregon at Independence Elementary, Monmouth, Oregon at Monmouth Elementary and Talmadge Middle School for a total of 35 years in classroom education. Even after retirement, Shirlee continued to teach. She offered to teach adult swim lessons for any adult she came into contact with those who wanted to learn to swim.
Shirlee loved camping, fishing, playing tennis and reading. Unfortunately, cooking and gardening failed to make that list. Shirlee spent many happy summers at the Eugene Yacht club on Fern Ridge Reservoir water skiing, sailing and enjoying the company of family and friends. Shirlee was a "snowbird" and enjoyed spending the winters at Venture Out Adult Community in Mesa, Arizona, playing tennis, bocce ball, swimming and hanging out with her 'winter" friends.
Shirlee loved her three grandsons to whom she was "Nana". She loved spending time with them. She taught them how to play cribbage, and they taught her how to play Cards Against Humanity. She will be fondly remembered by many of the boy's friends as "Nana Shirl".
Shirlee was proceeded in death by her husband, Jerry Flug.
Shirlee is survived by son, Jack Flug and his partner Jeff Broderick; daughter, Marcie Colahan and her husband Tim, along with her three grandchildren Conor (Lily), Carraig (Mattea), Kieran Colahan, and two great grandchildren.
A memorial celebration to celebrate the lives of both Jerry Flug and Shirlee (Wilcox) Flug is being planned for this fall. More information will be forthcoming.