Shirley Hillix died unexpectedly after a brief illness and protracted incapacitation on Dec. 29, 2011. She was 76 years old.

Shirley was born in Mecca, Calif., on Jan. 8, 1935.

She was first married to David Cate and they had one daughter, Cathy. Her second marriage to William Hillix ended in 1980 and produced another daughter, Allison.

Shirley then went to work to support herself and her daughter. In 1999 she retired from the Grossmont High School District in San Diego and moved to Lake County. She worked briefly at Upper Lake Elementary School before her health made it to difficult to work.

Shirley had several hospital and nursing home stays, but came home in June 2010 to live with daughter Allison and joys of her life, granddaughters Makynli and Tory.

She follows her mother Velda Sauer and sister Beverly Barker in death, and is survived by those who loved her so at home, including son-in-law and loving caregiver Jacob Merrill and beloved former son-in-law Scott Walker.

She will also miss baby brother Warren Sauer, oldest daughter Cathleen Mitchell and her niece Lorna Garvin, who especially helped Shirley to feel loved in her last weeks.

Shirley was touched by countless friends and family made throughout her nearly 77 years, and in lieu of flowers she would rather that everyone go out and do a nice thing to make someone a little happier, or to make the world a kinder place.

No services are planned according to her wishes.

Mom, I will miss you every day.

We love you, Grandma.