Shirley Bardella passed away December 4, 2016 in Eureka.

Born in 1929 in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, she was one of Pacific Bell’s first telephone operators. A prolific writer, Shirley published her novel “A Lonely Lady” in 1996. She was a member of many writer’s groups and started a Senior Center in Willcox, Arizona. Along with her love of writing, she shared a great love of travel and went on many adventures with her husband of 57 years, Don, to Australia, Mexico, Hawaii, San Diego and other destinations.

With all of these interests, her greatest love was her family. Her four children and her husband were the focus of her life. Shirley moved to the North Coast last year to be with her daughter, Kathy, and made many new friends along the way.

She is survived by her children, Don Bardella of Glendale, Arizona, Mary Bardella and Judy Bailey of Willcox, Arizona, Kathleen Essa of Bayside and her husband Emran. She is also survived by her three special grandchildren, Tara Bardella, Joseph Bailey and Nabil Essa. She was preceded in death by her husband, Don, in 2008.

Shirley was the center of her family and can not be replaced. We are comforted to know she will now be reunited with the love of her life, the man she spotted on a dance floor and married six months later and who she called the “handsomest man she had ever seen.”

A rosary is scheduled for Friday, December 9 at 7 pm at St. Bernard’s Church in Eureka with a memorial mass on Saturday, December 10 at 11 am at St. Bernard’s Church with reception to follow. All who knew and loved Shirley are welcome to attend.

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The obituary above was submitted by Shirley Bardella’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.