Shirley Hunter

Shirley Hunter (nee Finger). She was both hellfire and holy water, a thunderstorm looking to be understood in a world of sunny days.  Elvis Presley said; “You only pass through this life once, you don’t come back for an encore. But, a mother's love remains infinite, passing the torch of life, transcending generation to generation. That’s how our mothers take care of business. Shirley adored her family, loved and spoiled her grandchildren, and always enjoyed pushing her feet into the beach’s warm sand. Some memories never leave your heart. Like the salt in the sea; they become part of you - and you carry them. Just as every salty tear returns to the sea, on Monday, February 7, 2022, our tears didn't fall, they crashed around us. After 73 years, our mom’s tide had unexpectedly slipped away from the beach’s sand. Shirley had left the building. Seeing mom’s passing as the end of her life is like seeing the horizon as the end of the ocean. But, this loss is immeasurable and so is the love left behind.

Shirley was born in Camden and had been a long-time Gloucester City neighbor. She… had a hunka, hunka burnin’ love for “The King” ELVIS PRESLEY! She loved trips to Disney, Memphis, country music, and got to visit Graceland. With kid's gloves, she got to hold “The King’s” acoustic guitar and also cut herself in Graceland’s kitchen (got pictures to prove it). Back in the “Holy City” she worked as a crossing guard and cared for her family.

Shirley came from an exceptionally large family. She was one of eleven children. Unfortunately, four of her siblings have passed before her but she leaves six to cherish the memories, pressed between the pages of our minds. To the world, she may have just been a mother. But, to her family, she was the world. Shirley was the daughter of the late Elizabeth VanZant, the mother of Donna Hunter (Marcelino), Elizabeth & her husband Stan Burmylo, her namesake “S.A.L” Shirley & her husband John Lindeborn, John Hunter Jr. (Alaina), Kelly & her husband Jack Wunsch and Alexis Wilkins & her husband Cliff. Shirley is a proud grandmother who is survived and will be sadly missed by 18 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Relatives, friends, and neighbors are invited to gather with the Hunter family. We’ll be listening to Elvis and sharing our heartfelt stories on Monday morning between 10:00 am and 11:00 am at Creran Celebration Etherington & Creran Funeral Homes 700 Powell St. Gloucester City where a remembrance ceremony will be celebrated at 11:00 am. A graveside tribute will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Cherry Hill.

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