In Memory
Shirley Marie (Shoemaker) Roemer
July 10, 1930 ~ January 08, 2026
Shirley Marie Shoemaker Roemer, 95, died peacefully on January 8, 2026 in the San Francisco Bay area of northern California. She suffered heart failure in her apartment at Byron Park in Walnut Creek, California. Shirley was born July 10, 1930, the only child of Lloyd and Hazel Shoemaker. She married Thomas Roemer in June of 1950 and lived most of her 95 years of life in South Bend. She is survived by four daughters: Beth Roemer (Craig Sirnio), Palo Alto, California; Ginny Roemer, Berkeley, California; Terry Roemer (Gary Padavic),Oakland, California; and Cathy Roemer (David Storey), Denver, Colorado. Tom Roemer died in December, 2006. Michael Roemer, their youngest child, died just two months earlier than Shirley, on November 12, 2025.
Shirley cherished her family and friends and her hometown of South Bend. She identified as a humanist and a “Roosevelt Democrat”. An avid reader, Shirley deeply appreciated, and would recite, significant historical events and developments that she lived through during her long and full life-time. She was both beloved and admired for her sense of humor, her empathy, her bedrock principles and her insatiable curiosity. She was a devoted friend and family member, always able to be both generous and judicious. A lifelong learner, she earned both a college degree and two master’s degrees after marrying and having children. She taught U.S. history in the South Bend School Corporation for many years, transitioning to student counseling after earning a graduate degree in psychology. She will be greatly missed. Please join family and friends for a celebration of Shirley’s life on February 21, 2026. The memorial is at 12:00 noon with a light lunch to follow. It will be located at Howard Park Event Center, 219 S. St. Louis Blvd (corner of Jefferson Blvd and St Louis Blvd).
Posted online on January 15, 2026
Published in South Bend Tribune
Added 01/15/2026 0805 GMS
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