Shirley Ann Neuser

Shirley Ann Atkinson was born to Clyde and Rowena Atkinson on January 16, 1929, above a curio shop in Grand Canyon Village, Arizona. At a young age the family moved and settled in Seattle, Washington. Shirley attended T.T. Minor and Bagley elementary schools and graduated from Lincoln High School. She was a dedicated Rainbow Girl and became a Worthy Advisor. She grew up one block west of Green Lake. She also attended the university of Washington for one semester. During her educational years she had several jobs such as managing the record department at McDougal’s Department Store in downtown Seattle.

Shirley was introduced to the love of her life, Rudy Neuser, at the wedding of dear friends, Frank and Adele Inslee in October of 1948. Shirley was the Maid of Honor and Rudy was the Best Man. They agreed that they made a handsome couple and became engaged on November 1, of that year, Rudy’s birthday. They were married on January 8, 1949, 8 days before Shirley's 20th birthday.

The adventure began. The only boats Shirley had been on were row boats and ferries, but Rudy was a commercial fisherman. So, it was now time for her to board the Seahawk, a small salmon troller with a bucket as a “head.” They lived in Neah Bay in the Presbyterian parsonage where they became good friends with the minister and his family. The following winter they moved back to Seattle and started their family.

Once daughters Kris and Cindy arrived, the family moved to Algona, then to Gig Harbor, back to Seattle and then to Yakima. During these relocations Shirley made many friends and held several jobs. In Gig Harbor, she and Rudy started their own dairy business where Shirley helped pasteurize milk, and deliver it with both girls in the front seat of her pick-up truck. While in Yakima, Andy was born and she worked at the Dole cannery, the liquor store, as the book lady on the bookmobile. She also assisted taking the 1960 census. All of this while leading a 4-H group and hosting Rudy’s colleagues and hunting and fishing buddies while he worked for Swift and Co.

They finally landed in Tacoma, bought a fishing boat, the Mar-Jo, and initially lived in Fircrest, before buying the “red house” at Dash Point. Shirley was hired at Tacoma Savings and Loan where she was the head teller for seven years. Following that job she returned as the first-mate, co-captain, and bookkeeper on the boat, the Shirley N. She later found an undeveloped plot of land at Browns Point and they designed and built their last home.

Not people to let grass grow under their feet, Shirley and Rudy bought an RV and visited family and friends. They spent two years traveling the United States, flying home to celebrate Christmas with their family. As devoted grandparents, they took grandkids on RV camping trips making many memories.

Shirley was the matriarch of the family, keeping everyone and everything organized. She never passed up the opportunity to throw a party, open the door to a visitor, provide a room for overnight or days, read a good book, dance, or watch a movie.

She died peacefully on July 7, 2025, at home still loving her panoramic view of Commencement Bay. Shirley was preceded in death by her husband Rudy and leaves to grieve her daughter Kristine (Al), daughter Cynthia (Dave), son Andrew (Joan), nine grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. She had received loving care from Hospice, son Andy, daughter Kris and grandson Greg.

Her ashes will be placed with those of her husband and scattered near Neah Bay. A Celebration of Life will be held later this summer. Contact one of the survivors for information.