Mount Pleasant – Shirley Mae (Tessneer) Woodward, age 84, died at the home of her daughter, Joyce and son-in-law Michael Clickner on Tuesday, May 2, 2017. Shirley was born February 12, 1933 on Victory Avenue in Racine, Wisconsin to Wilhelmina (Miller) Tessneer and Ezra Eugene Tessneer. Shirley committed her life to her family, being a very dedicated and loving wife, mother, and grandmother.  She graduated from Washington Park High School in 1951.  Before marriage, Shirley attended the University of Wisconsin Extension, worked at Sears and First National Bank.

Shirley married James Arthur Woodward, a fellow Park High classmate, on December 29, 1956 at Grace Lutheran Church.  She took her role as a homemaker very seriously, it was her calling and she excelled at it. Shirley was an avid reader, enjoyed traveling and crosswords puzzles, and had a special love for animals with a particular fondness for Pomeranians.  She had an inquisitive nature, a good sense of humor, and a flair for saying things that her family found quite surprising and, at times, rather amusing. Shirley loved to learn new things about history, other cultures, and genealogy. She was an active member of Bethania Lutheran Church for over 50 years acting as a co-director of the Senior Center, serving on the altar guild, and volunteering with the Thread by Thread Clothing Mission. Shirley also volunteered with the Racine Public Library, St. Mary's Auxiliary and Meals on Wheels.

Shirley is survived by her loving husband of 60 years, Jim, her daughter, Joyce Woodward and son-in law, Michael Clickner, daughter Anne Woodward, all of Racine, her son Glenn Woodward of Milwaukee, and Gary (Jane) Woodward of Wauwatosa.  She is also survived by her four grandchildren, Ellen Clickner of Kansas City, MO, Henry Clickner and his wife, Ceilidh Higgins of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and Angela and Eric Woodward.  She is further survived by her brothers-in-law and their wives,Robert and Shirley Woodward, Lee and Betty Woodward, Bruce and Shirley Woodward,  and her  sister-in-law, Jane (the late Darrell) Markham along with many nieces and nephews. Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers and sisters-in-law, Kenneth and Roberta (Bobbie) Tessneer and Marvin and Irma Tessneer, her in-laws, Earl and Frances Woodward and brother-in-law, Darrell Markham.  She was also recently preceded in death by her sweet Pomeranian, Sunny, in April 2017.

Shirley was deeply loved, and her interest and enjoyment of what life offered will be missed. The family would like to thank Dr. Sana Jeffreys, Bonnie Schuitt from Home Instead, Hospice Alliance RNs Pat and Jill, and Pastor Heather Bumstead for their compassion and support for Shirley and her family through this journey. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Shirley's name to Bethania Lutheran Church, the Kenosha or Racine Public Libraries, or the American Cancer Society.

A memorial service will be held at Bethania Lutheran Church, 4120 Wright Avenue, on Saturday May 6.  Visitation will begin at 1pm followed by the service at 2pm.

Service Details

Saturday, May 6, 2017

Bethania Lutheran Church (4120 Wright Ave)

Visitation : 1-2 p.m.

Memorial Service: 2:00 p.m.