Shirley Ann McCutchen Cairns, lifelong Hermiston resident, died on Oct. 6, 2025 in Richland, Wash. at the age of 87.
Shirley Ann McCutchen Cairns, lifelong Hermiston resident, died on Oct. 6, 2025 in Richland, Wash. at the age of 87.
She was born on July 20, 1938 in Hermiston to Herbert and Ruby Metteer; she was the fifth child of her beloved parents. Completing her family were Ruby (Sis), Harold, Ted, Jim, and Peggy.
She grew up in the Hermiston area on the family farm that lay on the edge of town. She would often say that her days were filled with helping her momma with the chores and the little kids in the family. Whenever she had time, she wanted to be with her brothers, Jim and Ted, watching them work horses. This is where she fell in love with the beautiful Trigger, her first horse. It was her love of horses and farm life that would later lead her to her soulmate.
Shirley was able to see many different locations throughout Oregon and Washington in her teenage years. She would spend time with her sister, Ruby and husband George McCutchen, helping with her niece and nephews, Sharon and Herb, and even her youngest sister, Peggy at times. It was through this connection that she would meet her husband. While she was with her family her brother-in-law, George brought his cousin, William “Cap” McCutchen to the farm. She would often talk about watching him work with horses and how handsome he was. She would say that he was an artist with them. She was a bit younger than he was, so over the years they would continue to interact and work together. It was a few years in when she came to work at his parents’ farm to help with chores around the place. It was there that he asked her if she would like to marry him.
Shirley and Cap were married in Umatilla on May 12, 1957. Following the ceremony, Cap wheeled her down Main Street in a wheelbarrow. Everyone had a good laugh as she was sure that he would not actually push her all the way. They parted ways that evening but not before someone put Limburger cheese on the motor of the car so it stank really bad.
They spent their first few months of marriage with pack mules up the Lostine River in the Eagle Cap Mountains. To spend extended time in the area can be very rough, however, that was not a reason not to look good. Shirley was known for her dedication and grit as she would still put rollers in her hair, clear up the mountain. One of the biggest moments and a family favorite photo is of her clear up the mountain after shooting a beautiful mule deer with open sights from a 30-06, all with perfectly curled, beautiful red hair and bright red lips. She told me that Cap was very worried that she would not be able to hold the gun steady for longer periods of time, so she would work out with canned goods on the mountain to build her strength.
As they settled into married life, they moved to Stanfield and were blessed with their first daughter, Melody. A couple of years later, their family was complete with the arrival of their second daughter, Vickie. Shirley loved spending time with her siblings and would visit them often.
Shirly began working for Good Shepherd Medical Center in the kitchens. She loved this job and the people that she got to meet and work with. She worked there for many years. As the years progressed, her daughters, Melody and Vickie, would bless her and Cap with four granddaughters, Amber, Brandi, Krystal and Tia. It was during this time, sadly, that she lost her husband to a brain tumor in 1985.
While working at the hospital, she would meet her second husband, Ralph Cairns. They were married in 1988. Shirley was so grateful for his children, Jim, MaryLee, and David and getting to be part of their lives. Through these years she would be blessed with more grandchildren, Justin, Jordan, Tyler, Emi and Jaime.
She retired after many years, and in those years following she enjoyed traveling; one of her favorites was to Branson, Mo. They were part of a travel club and went on multiple bus trips and cruises. They also learned to square dance and little did most people know, but Shirley liked half of a gin and tonic to loosen her up to dance her tail off.
As the years went on, the most important thing to her was her family. She would go to as many sports games, animal shows, performances, family holidays, and parties as she could.
If you were to ask anyone who was blessed to come in contact with Shirley, they would always say she was the sweetest and most caring woman they had ever met – a true testament to her character. She also had a huge heart for animals, especially her kitties. She would always make sure to have cat food on hand for any she may come across.
She is survived by her sister, Peggy Mumpower; daughters, Melody Maynard (Steve Foy) and Vickie Warren (Roger Warren); her bonus family, Jim Cairns (Rena Cairns), MaryLee Rohrman (Dave Rorman) and David Cairns; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Shirley was preceded in death by her mother and father, Ruby and Herbert Metteer; brothers, Harold, Jim and Ted Meteer and sister, Ruby McCutchen; and husbands, William “Cap” McCutchen and Ralph Cairns.
A graveside funeral service will be held on Monday, Oct. 13, 2025 at 1 p.m. at the Hermiston Cemetery.
A gathering will follow at 78861 Agnew Road, Hermiston.
Please share memories of Shirley with her family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
