Shirley Raney, 76, died Thursday, March 31 of complications from bone fractures.
She was born Shirley Anne Stone in Oakland to parents Floye and Ted Stone. She was a resident of Palo Alto for the past 51 years.
She was a graduate of UC Berkeley, where, as a freshman, she met and fell in love with Lew Raney, whom she married four years later in 1956. She was a member of Alpha Xi Delta sorority.
Mrs. Raney was a loving wife and mother and devoted herself to her husband and children. She was a Girl Scout troop leader, home chef, avid reader, singer, and dancer. She was an accomplished watercolor artist with shows in local galleries, and a life member of the Palo Alto Art League. She enjoyed travel to Carmel, Hawaii, the East Coast, Japan, and Hong Kong. Faced with life’s challenges, she demonstrated unusual courage.
She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Lew; son, Stephen; grandchildren, Kristina and Brian Smith, and Emma Raney; and a sizable family contingent from Oakdale led by her uncle, Robert Gilbert.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Diana Smith, of El Dorado.
Remembrances may be made to the charity of your choice.
A funeral service was held April 10 at All Saints Episcopal Church, Palo Alto.
She was born Shirley Anne Stone in Oakland to parents Floye and Ted Stone. She was a resident of Palo Alto for the past 51 years.
She was a graduate of UC Berkeley, where, as a freshman, she met and fell in love with Lew Raney, whom she married four years later in 1956. She was a member of Alpha Xi Delta sorority.
Mrs. Raney was a loving wife and mother and devoted herself to her husband and children. She was a Girl Scout troop leader, home chef, avid reader, singer, and dancer. She was an accomplished watercolor artist with shows in local galleries, and a life member of the Palo Alto Art League. She enjoyed travel to Carmel, Hawaii, the East Coast, Japan, and Hong Kong. Faced with life’s challenges, she demonstrated unusual courage.
She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Lew; son, Stephen; grandchildren, Kristina and Brian Smith, and Emma Raney; and a sizable family contingent from Oakdale led by her uncle, Robert Gilbert.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Diana Smith, of El Dorado.
Remembrances may be made to the charity of your choice.
A funeral service was held April 10 at All Saints Episcopal Church, Palo Alto.
