Shirley (Suby) Hall

Shirley A. (Suby) Hall, 69 of Mason City, died Sunday, May 30, 2004 at Good Shepherd Health Center. Funeral services will be held 1:30 PM, Wednesday at Good Shepherd Health Center Chapel, 302 2nd St. N.E. with Rev. Kris L. Snyder, Grace Lutheran Church, Hanlontown, officiating. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 PM Tuesday at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 North Pennsylvania Avenue and one hour prior to the service at Good Shepherd Health Center Chapel. Interment will be in Brush Point Cemetery, Hanlontown, Iowa. Memorials may be given to the Shirley A. (Suby) Hall Memorial Fund. Shirley Ann (Suby) Hall, the daughter of Morris and Myrtle (Clark) Suby was born December 5, 1934. She attended school in Hanlontown and graduated in 1955. Her life was a triumph over terrific obstacles. When she was eleven years old and in sixth grade she was stricken by polio and totally paralyzed. She was then a patient at University Hospitals in Iowa City for over a year and a half. She began to recover slowly and was brought home to her family. For the next two summers she returned to University Hospitals for continuing surgeries. Each time she spent the summer months with much of her body encased in a rigid cast. She was unable to attend school for three years. When she was ready to resume her studies the school system installed a ?teach-a-phone? system for her. She was often assisted to school by her mother, or her brother James. On snowy days one of them would pull her to school on a sled. When graduation day came she was able to walk down the aisle with her classmates, a very proud day for Shirley. Her mother was very devoted to helping Shirley face her many challenges in life. She was determined that polio would not destroy her daughter?s strong will and determination to live a normal life. Shirley attended the Easter Seal Center in Mason City for many years. She also attended Camp Sunnyside for 25 years. She also kept busy selling stationary and cards, Blair, Avon, crafts and paintings. She would paint holding the paintbrush in her mouth. Shirley lived at home until 1973 when she moved to Handicap Village, where she was voted Mayor. In 1975 she moved to Rest Haven and then in September 1976 she became a resident of Good Shepherd Health Center. She became very well known to everyone in the Mason City area when she received her ?wheels? (electric wheelchair) and was then able to get around on her own. She often referred to her wheelchair as her ?Cadillac.? She was an activist for the handicapped and was often on the news or in the newspaper promoting handicap awareness. On June 5, 1999 she was united in marriage to the late Donald (Gene) Hall at Good Shepherd. Their wedding celebration was televised on the evening news. Shirley was a resident of Good Shepherd Health Center for 28 years. Many of the staff and residents there became family to Shirley. Her smile, strong will and determination will never be forgotten by her family and friends. She is survived by her brother; Marlin Suby and wife Mindy, of Madison, Wisconsin, and LaVerne Suby, Lake Mills, Iowa. Sisters; Darlene Hammitt and husband Dan of Garner, Iowa and Barbara Niles of Dodge Center, Minnesota. Many nieces and nephews and many great nieces and nephews. Also her loving friend Marilyn Nauman who was like a sister to Shirley. She is preceded in death by her husband, Don; parents; brother; James, brother-in-law; Randy Niles and nephews; Jeffrey David Suby-Brass and Robert Morris Suby

Visitation:
4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Major Erickson Funeral Home on June 1, 2004 (map/driving directions) 5:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Major Erickson Funeral Home on May 30, 2004 (map/driving directions)

Service:
1:30 PM at Good Shepherd Nursing Home on June 2, 2004 (map/driving directions)