She Never Met a Stranger

Shirley Ceman, age 83, of Spring, Texas went home to be with Our Lord on September 21, 2019. Shirley was the wife of James (Jim) Ceman, his bride of 65 years.

Born and raised in Liverpool, England, she was the daughter of Alfred Pottage and Lucille (Ley) Pottage. Shirley graduated from The Highfield School in 1952.

Shirley met Jim while he was in the United States Air Force, stationed in England. They fell in love, married, and she immigrated to the United States in 1954. Shirley became a citizen of the United States in 1960. As their family grew, they lived in Louisiana and Wisconsin, before settling down to raise their family in Wilmington, Delaware. In later years, with the children grown and out of the house, Shirley and Jim relocated to Spring, Texas, where Shirley enjoyed her final years. She was actively involved in the Christ the Good Shepard 55+ Group, the Transatlantic Brides & Parents Association (TBPA), the Cypresswood 50 Plus Group, and the Cypresswood Garden Club.

Shirley loved taking cruises to parts unknown with Jim. Upon returning home from these adventures, Shirley would bring with her a list of new friends. Shirley also enjoyed the trips to their favorite casinos with family and friends. All who knew Shirley readily agree that she never met a stranger, and she always went out of her way to help other people. It was not uncommon for Shirley to stop and help anyone she thought might need assistance. Shirley loved her family and she loved doting on them. She also loved taking photographs of them. She always had a camera in hand, and her grandchildren grew up knowing the perfect way to pose for Nanny's pictures. Family could count on visiting and being welcomed by the wonderful smells of snickerdoodles, scones, or whatever treat happened to be baking in the oven. At holidays, you could count on a tin of Bourbon balls being ever present. Shirley also loved her garden. She lovingly spent hours in the yard, creating her own version of paradise.

Shirley is predeceased by her parents and her older brother, Leslie Pottage. In addition to her husband, she he is survived by daughters Carol Tuttle (Paul Tuttle III) of Sheboygan Wisconsin, Joanne Marra (Ernesto Marra), of Lewes Delaware, and son Gary Ceman (Karen McMahon), of Rehoboth Beach Delaware.  In addition to her children, Shirley is survived by 10 Grandchildren and 15 Great Grandchildren. Shirley is also survived by her sister, Thelma Cormier of Hampton, Virginia and her 2 Sister-in-laws, Margaret Ceman of Waupun, Wisconsin and Margaret Ceman of Berlin, Wisconsin.

Special thanks to her nurses and staff at the Avalon Memory Care in Houston, especially Josie.

A Memorial Mass at Christ the Good Shepherd Church, located at 18511 Klein Church Road, Spring, TX. will be at 11:00am Thursday October 10, 2019.

Final internment will take place at a later date at All Saints Cemetery in Wilmington, Delaware.