In January 1960, John and Shirley moved north and raised their family in Healy (Suntrana), Alaska. By 1962 they lived in Fairbanks, and then moved to Anchorage in 1973. Shirlee and John, an avid fisherman, eventually settled in Kenai in 1986. Shirlee continued living in Kenai for a number of years after John passed away, and in the spring of 2005 was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Unable to care for herself, Shirlee moved to Homer to be closer to family.

Mrs. Manson owned her own kiln and spent many happy hours pouring Alaska clay into molds, and firing, clear-coating and/or painting ceramics for family and friends and even selling some items in Anchorage and in Homer. Shirlee enjoyed painting and some of her grandchildren have their own "oil painting by Shirlee." Shirlee loved flowers and puttering in her yard. In the spring she would start flowers in the garage and as soon as weather permitted, her home was ablaze in color with spectacular hanging baskets and beautiful overflowing flower beds. Most sunny days, she could be found relaxing on her swing, enjoying the sunshine and her flowers. She especially marveled at the beauty of the Sitka rosebush in her yard that came back year after year. Shirlee was at home in the kitchen and enjoyed cooking and entertaining her family throughout the year, and especially during the holidays. Shirlee was never one to let grass grow under her feet; she always was busy doing something around her house. While living in Homer Shirlee enjoyed many hours of fishing with Jeanne and camping out at the Ninilchik river fishing trying her best to catch the big kings.

Mrs. Manson was preceded in death by her husband, John A. Manson and her son John W. and wife Patricia Manson; brothers, Walter Shonka and Donald Shonka, and sister, Eunice Shonka.

Mrs. Manson is survived by her son David and wife Jeanne Manson of Homer, son Harvey and wife Christine Manson of Anchorage, and son Robert Manson of Kenai; sister Nita Helvy of Renton, Wash.; 10 grandchildren: Chrissie and husband Ernie Hoffman of Homer, Kim and husband Joel Anderson of Davenport, Wash., Bobbie Jean and husband Frank Irlander of Seattle, Heather Manson of South Carolina; Todd Manson of Atlanta, Kent Manson of North Carolina, and Eric Manson, Kevin and wife Bobbie Manson, and Melissa Manson, all of Anchorage; and great-grandchildren: Eric's children, Charlie, Anthony, Marijayne, and Elijah Manson and Melissa's 11-week-old baby Dane Douglas Maydole, all of Anchorage.

Shirlee was heartily loved and will be surely be missed by her family and by her many friends.