- Date Of Birth: October 30, 1941
- Date Of Death: March 13, 2021
- State: Idaho
Shirley Rae Severa, 79, of Idaho Falls, passed away peacefully at her home, on March 13, 2021, with her family by her side. She was under the loving care of her two sons, Joe and John, and Hands of Hope Hospice.
Shirley was born on October 30, 1941, to John “Jack” Staley and Doris L. King in Idaho Falls. Her parents later divorced, and her mother married a wonderful man named John A. Emmitt, who then became dad to Shirley and her two younger siblings. Her mother and father were blessed with two more children, completing a wonderful family of seven.
As a young child, she and the family lived in several different states when her dad would start a new job or open a new business. This made her childhood very exciting, and she was able to make many new friends easily. She graduated from Washington High School in Fremont, California, in 1960.
It was in Fremont where she met and married Manuel J. Severa. She soon became a loving mother to Joseph M., on March 16, 1963, and John F., on December 23, 1964. Her two boys were always her pride and joy. She and Manuel were later divorced, and she stayed in California until 1977 when she moved back to Idaho Falls to be near most of her family.
Throughout her life, she worked in various jobs, mostly as a bookkeeper. Her last positions were at the Development Workshop and H & K Contractors. She retired in 2011.
Shirley is survived by her sons, Joe and John; sister, Sandy Poole; and sister-in-law, Tammy Emmitt, all of Idaho Falls, ID. She is also survived by her brother, John (Tina) Emmitt of Fairview Park, OH, and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; grandparents; her little sister, Lori Lynn; her younger brother, Fred; and many loving aunts and uncles.
