Shirley Joyce Sands of Hermiston passed away in Hermiston on June 15, 2025 at the age of 90.
She was born on Jan. 11, 1935 in Lostine to Melvin and Alice Henderson Smith.
Shirley grew up in Irrigon, where she attended school and graduated from high school in the early 1950s. Shirley married Ewald Ritzer and from this union five children were born. The couple later divorced.
Shirley moved to Hermiston in 1966, where she had resided for the past 59 years. She worked for the Hermiston post office as a clerk for 20 years before retiring. She then worked for Walmart as a greeter for 18 years.
She enjoyed gardening, growing flowers and going to yard sales and thrift shops. She loved decorating for Christmas and dressing up whenever the opportunity arose. She also enjoyed going to her grandchildren’s sporting events.
She is survived by a son, Robert Ritzer; daughters, Mary Beach and Barbara McLean; son, Michael Ritzer; 19 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren and several great-great grandchildren; and many extended family members and friends.
She was preceded in death by a daughter, Betty Shatto; her parents; sisters, Sharon and Sharlene; and a granddaughter, Stephanie.
A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. on Sunday, June 22, 2025 at the Hermiston Cemetery.
