- Date Of Birth: January 7, 1932
- Date Of Death: April 8, 2016
- State: Idaho
Surrounded by her family, our dear and cherished Mom and Granny, peacefully passed on to her eternal home with the Lord on Friday, April 8, 2016.
Shirley was born in Nampa, Idaho, on January 7, 1932, to Darwin and Irene (Knowlton) Symms. She lived her entire life in Canyon County with the exception of the time her family lived on the homestead in Owyhee County, west of Homedale and the winters she spent in Cave Creek, Arizona.
Shirley grew up on the family fruit ranch on beautiful Sunny Slope, attended Sunny Slope Grade School, Caldwell High School for two years and then transferred to Marsing High School where she graduated in 1949. She attended the College of Idaho for one year. In 1950, she married her high school sweetheart, Uvon Maggard. They made their home on Sunny Slope for a few months and then moved to their new little house south of Greenleaf on the Maggard Ranch. Shirley and Uvon created a wonderful life for their five children, along with raising beautiful quarter horses and delicious fruit. Uvon passed away unexpectedly in 1980. Shirley continued to live on the home place eventually for over 50 years. In March of 2002, she married Millard “Doc” Ickes and made her home at the Hi Horse Ranch along the Boise River. Shirley had many fond memories of the time spent with Millard’s family. When Milliard passed away in 2008, Shirley returned home to Sunny Slope and lived on the hill above the fruit orchards. She loved living there.
Family was so important to Shirley. She supported her family in all of their endeavors. Many hours were spent at sporting events, rodeos, horse shows, queen contests to name a few. Most of all, we just enjoyed being with her. She kindly nurtured her children and then set them free to live their lives pursuing the dreams that made them happy. Shirley adored her grandchildren and great grandchildren and they absolutely adored their Granny. She was a fun and spunky Granny, always up to something with the grandkids.
Shirley lived a long, full, and happy life. From a young age, Shirley loved dogs and always had a special pet. Her Aunt Louise helped her to learn to read at an early age, and she was an avid reader her entire life. After raising her children, she worked for many years in the family business at Symms Fruit Ranch. Shirley found oil painting to be a relaxing hobby and shared her creations with her family.
The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Autumn Wind Assisted Living for their extraordinary and tender care of Shirley. Heart and Home Hospice did an outstanding job, and we are so grateful to all of you. A most special thank you to dear friend, Santa Pedraza, for her loving devotion to Shirley.
She is survived by her children, John (Ginna) Maggard, Jane (Dave) Sanders, Steve (Kathy) Maggard, Sam (Shawna) Maggard, Dede (Marc) Mamer. Grandchildren, Rena (Jeremy) Scott, J.R. Maggard, Dirk Sanders, Doug Sanders, Sarah Maggard, Reed Maggard, Shyla Maggard, Jacob (Molly) Mamer, Hannah Mamer, and Sammy Mamer. Great Grandchildren Bailey Neff, Maddox Scott, and Steele Scott. She is also survived by Ginger (Gil) Kleweno, Dick (Nancy) Symms, Steve (Loretta) Symms, Fran Symms, Nadine Maggard and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. She leaves behind her faithful little dog, Barkley. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Uvon and Millard, and her nephew Dan Symms.
Your browser does not support this video format. You should be able to view it in Chrome, Safari or Internet Explorer.
