Shirley Jean Morrissey

87, of Phoenix, passed away on September 20, 2013.  She was born December 29, 1925 in Rowley, Iowa to Mr. & Mrs. Ed McCormick. She graduated from Independence High School in 1943. Shirley worked at the County Auditor’s Office in Iowa, attended the University of Iowa and graduated from nursing in 1947.  Shirley worked at the University for approximately a year and a half before deciding she needed to travel, she went to Hawaii from 1949-1950 and worked in a T.B. Sanitarium before Hawaii was a state.  She returned to the University of Iowa and worked in isolation during the severe polio epidemic.

In 1952, she changed careers to work as a Flight Stewardess for American Airlines. In 1955 she married W.V. (Bill) Ergenbright , one of the first Orthopedic Surgeons in Phoenix.  They had their daughter Ann two years later. After Bill’s death she married William (Bill) Morrissey, an Internal Medicine Doctor, both were avid golfers and played at least three times a week. Shirley was a member of Maricopa Medical Society Auxiliary, Good Samaritan Auxiliary, Phoenix Zoo, Kiwi Club and a member of the Phoenix Country Club since 1955 and loved the game of golf until her shoulder gave out in 2008.  One of Shirley’s greatest accomplishments was learning to fly and receiving her pilot’s license. She is preceded in death by her first husband W. V. (Bill) Ergenbright, M.D., her sister Ava McCormick Lessenger, and brother Ed F. McCormick.  She leaves behind her husband of 35 years William J. Morrissey, M.D., daughter Ann Ergenbright Thomas (Matthew S. Thomas-deceased), step-daughter Barbara Fuss McLaughlin (David),  her sister Lois McCormick Lockwood, nephews Bob Ergenbright (Patty, Clayton and Austin), Bill Ergenbright (Roselee and Katy).  Godson Mark Alway (Judy and triplets Mark, Beck, and Carmen). A Memorial Mass will be held on Friday, September 27, 2013 at 10:30 A.M., at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 4719 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix.  Private Inurnment will take place at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona.  A Celebration of Life Reception will take place at La Siena, 909 E. Northern Avenue, Phoenix on the same day at 2:00 P.M. Arrangements entrusted to Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home.