Shirley M. Brashears went to heaven Feb. 20, 2014, after a long and valiant struggle with Parkinson’s disease. She had recently celebrated her 91st birthday.
Shirley was born in 1923 in Orange, Calif. Growing up she also lived in San Bernardino, but spent every summer in Laguna Beach where her lifelong love of the ocean was born. She attended the University of Arizona in Tucson and USC. She married Dr. William (Bill) Brashears in 1948. Together they built a dental practice and the first Medical Arts Center in Fullerton.
In 1970 they combined 10 parcels at the corner of Brea and Harbor boulevards and built the high-rise development known as Brashears Center. They raised five children in Fullerton. Shirley was a licensed pilot. The family enjoyed traveling the West, deep-sea fishing and many outdoor adventures.
Later in life, Shirley made her home in the Sun Valley area of Idaho. Her three sons shared her love of the mountain life and they also settled in Idaho. Shirley was a co-owner of A-1 Taxi with her son Scott for 15 years. She continued as an entrepreneur in real estate development. She was very active in Special Olympics and spent joyful times in Hawaii during these years. Her legacy of optimism, patriotism and undying love will be treasured forever by all who knew her.
She is survived by her two daughters, Bonnie and Mary Anne; three sons, Scott, John, and Bobby; nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
