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Shirley was born on July 14, 1925, in Aberdeen, South Dakota, to Rexford and Ethyl Ryman. Shirley spent her first five years on her grandparent’s farm in Mansfield, South Dakota. After her father suffered a sun stroke the family relocated to San Francisco.
Shirley graduated from Galileo High School in San Francisco and in 1947 graduated from the University of California at Berkeley with an English degree. While working for CBS radio as a promotional writer, Shirley met Edward Smith, they were married on August 15, 1948. Edward went on to become the art director for ABC, the very first San Francisco Television station. Shirley would tell the story of being in a crowded room at ABC together viewing for the first time a small 12-inch black and white TV.
After her husband died suddenly in 1964, widowed at 38 with two teenage children, Scott Bradford, 14, and Laurie Kathleen, 12, Shirley returned to college and obtained her teaching degree. She went on to teach fifth and sixth grade in Palo Alto, California, for 23 years.
During those years Shirley met and fell in love with fellow teacher, John Lindberg, and they married in 1971. Together Shirley and John started a private summer backpacking program called "Eureka on High" for middle school students. For nine summers they took students backpacking into the High Sierras, most for their first time.
Shirley not only planned and organized all camp meals, she washed and dried all the down sleeping bags at the conclusion of each trip! On one trip she had to be carried out after she broke her heel walking across melting snow.
Upon retiring as teachers they both yearned for family and the mountains. Moving to Naples and building a log home near family brought them exceeding joy through their golden years.
Shirley and John helped establish soccer as a certified high school sport in Boundary County. They also built and ran a Fitness Center, giving Bonners Ferry the first of two soccer fields.
Shirley was always behind the scenes meeting the needs for both business and soccer all the while keeping her teaching heart alive by mentoring in the elementary and middle schools.
As “Nana” to five grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, she imparted her love of reading. Each birthday and Christmas present always included a book along with a toy.
Putting others first was Shirley’s way. Her personal happiness was fulfilled as she witnessed the successes and joys of those around her.
This was only confirmed by the handwritten card found in her purse saying, “The purpose of life is not to be happy — but to matter, to be responsible, to be productive, to be useful, to help others, to have it make a difference that you have lived at all.” — C.H. Bond
Shirley is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Laurie and Michael Naumann, Naples, grandchildren Coral Branson, Jasper Naumann, Mark Naumann, Jesse Smith and Lindsey Smith LaRock, sister Dorothy Cole of Texas, brother Roger Ryman of Colorado, daughter-inlaw Jan Soloy (Smith) of Washington and 12 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband Edward Smith, son Scott Smith and husband John Lindberg.