Shirley Gaddis

BLOOMINGTON - Shirley Gaddis, 76, of Bloomington, passed away peacefully with her family at her bedside at 10:40 a.m. Monday (May 2, 2016) at her home following a long, courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
Cremation has been accorded. A private service was held for the immediate family at Kibler-Brady-Ruestman Memorial Home, Bloomington.
Shirley was born Jan. 11, 1940, in Bloomington, a daughter of Victor Houston and Doris Chambers.
Surviving are her daughters, Kathy Wayment, Bloomington; Linda (Jim Sadler) Cotton-Sadler, Reston, Va., and Lisa Gaddis, Normal; three grandchildren, Jenna (Alex) DiPrima, North Carolina; TJ (Emily) Lemons, Bloomington; and Josh Gaddis, Normal; great-grandchild, Charis Lemons; and her fondest friend and beloved guardian angel cockapoo, Kalia Maria Bella.
She was preceded in death by her father; mother; and her grandmother, Mabel Chambers, who raised her.
Shirley loved to travel and especially loved Cabo San Lucas, Hawaii, Key West and the Bahamas. Some of her favorite pastimes included her love of the outdoors, feeding the squirrels and birds daily, moon and star gazing, gardening, and lounging on the beach. Shirley loved to relax at her home with candles and soft colorful lighting while listening to her favorite music, especially the blues. Some of her favorite blues artists were BB King, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Noah Hunt. She also loved Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Hank Williams Jr. and Sr. and most other classic country music.
She retired in 2013, following 15 years working for Sodexho Campus Services at the "Dugout" on Illinois Wesleyan University campus. She truly loved her time spent there and was thought of very fondly by the faculty, staff, students and her co-workers.
She was extremely grateful for her family's support plus the many friends and neighbors who helped her through her struggle, including Mike and Linda, Mark, Diana, Patty, Pam, Nancy, Dave and Luke, Kelly and so many more. Special thanks goes to the warm and loving staff of Beningo's Restaurant, including Janet, Dawn and Carol; thanks for making her feel like a part of your family - she truly loved you all and felt very special when eating the many meals she shared there with her family.
The family is grateful to her online family and friends from afar, who brought her many smiles, particularly her Facebook "Caboholics Support Group" friends. She loved her Cabo family.
Shirley attended Heartland Community Church in Normal. The family is extremely grateful for the support and care from Advocate at Home Hospice of Normal. As well, the family sends sincere thanks to Dr. John Migas and the wonderful staff of Mid-Illinois Hematology & Oncology Associates, Normal.
In lieu of flowers, to assist the family with medical and service arrangements, contributions can be made at any PNC Bank branch to the Shirley Gaddis Memorial Fund or at https://www.gofundme.com/nv2q5mef.
Condolences and memories of Shirley may be left for the family at kiblerbradyruestman.com.

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