Virginia Beach- Marylou Shirey, of Drexel Hill, Pa., passed away at 68 after a valiant battle against necrotizing fasciitis.

She has been reunited with her beloved husband and son, the latter of whom also displayed a courageous battle against colorectal cancer 14 years prior.

Marylou was born on December 8th, 1955, and grew up in Clifton Heights, Pa. Displaying an adventurous spirit even at a young age, it wasn’t uncommon for Marylou to go on sporadic jaunts, one time hopping into her car and driving down I-95 just to see where it ended.

Marylou also possessed a hunger for knowledge and demonstrated a penchant for wanting to learn about life’s deeper mysteries and the world that surrounded her. This unbridled curiosity, paired with her keen sense of perception, led her to make many friendships throughout life and ultimately led her to her life’s calling, child advocacy. As an advocate for children with mental health disabilities, she was able to let her knowledge shine and use her voice for the greater good.

At age 29, she gave birth to her son, Michael, and at age 40, she met the love of her life, Matthew, becoming a mother once again to his daughter, Alyssa. Having the family she always dreamed of, Marylou’s most cherished role in life was that of a mother, whether it be to her own children or a stranger who just needed the presence of one.

Marylou dedicated her life to working as an advocate and also as a service writer for Piazza Honda, where she happily provided more than 30 years of service.

In May of 2023, Marylou moved to the Virginia Beach area with her daughter, believing that the ocean brought her closer to God. She remained in Virginia Beach, comfortably retired for a short while, until her illness.

A celebration of life will take place in March, around her son’s birthday, in honor of their heavenly reunion. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to your local NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) in honor of her legacy.

Marylou Shirey will forever be remembered for her sharp-witted sense of humor and insightful wisdom. She will remain a dedicated and loyal friend to many, a caring zizi to her nephews and nieces, and, most importantly, a loving mother, whose selflessness and sacrifices do not go without merit.

Simply Cremation is assisting her family. Online condolences may be expressed at SimplyCremationOnline.com.