96 - longtime resident of Hawaii, dedicated and loving wife, mother, grandmother (Tutu), and great-grandmother - died peacefully on November 29, 2021 in Honolulu, Hawaii. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Edwin L. Carter Jr. and their daughter, Sandy (Brian) Carter. She is survived by four children: Sherry (Hal) Teel, Shelly (Kevin) Flint, Michael (Ellen) Carter, and Ron Carter as well as 12 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Shirley was born in Los Angeles, California on August 29, 1925 to Wilfred William Norwood and Eulah (Bower) Norwood. According to her husband, Shirley was the "girl with the curls" and the most beautiful girl he knew. She loved dancing, and was swept away by her dashing Navy Ensign, Ed Carter, when he was home on leave in the summer of 1945. They danced all night at the Hollywood Palladium as the band played their song, "Till the End of Time." Their whirlwind romance led to a joyful marriage in Washington D.C. on August 3, 1945.
Shirley always had a kind and encouraging word for everyone she met and, when asked, was a dispenser of wise and uplifting counsel (accompanied by her favorite chocolate!). She believed in giving to her community from a young age. In 1941 at the age of 16, Shirley answered the call for volunteers to harvest grapes in Bakersfield, California in order to provide raisins for our Nation's troops. She spent her summer vacation among grapevines, housed in a boxcar with other girls, under adult supervision. She did not let the black widow spiders lurking in the grape vines stop her from serving. Shirley later spent time as a volunteer counselor, motivator, and role model working with underprivileged girls in a youth correctional facility. She also served as a Girl Scout leader. Later, Shirley became known for her lavish and magical Christmas parties in which giving was a central theme. She made room for all, hosting Navy personnel one night, and business associates and other friends another. Donations to Toys for Tots were encouraged, with Marines greeting the guests at the front door. Good food, good company, and Shirley's special brand of aloha made the parties unforgettable.
Shirley lived an energetic lifestyle. She loved playing tennis regularly with friends through the years. She was also a member of an archery club and won a number of trophies for her skill with a bow and arrow. Of the many pursuits in her lifetime, however, Shirley would say that her greatest accomplishment was being a mother and a Tutu. She was proud of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She loved them fiercely and blessed them abundantly with humor, magical childhoods, and unending support for their dreams. Her family feels richly blessed to be part of her life well-lived and loved.
No public service is planned. Private interment is planned for Punchbowl National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. Donations in Shirley's honor may be made to the Marine Toys for Tots program.
Arrangements Provided By:
Nuuanu Memorial Park & Mortuary LLC
