Shirley Ann (Harlow) Papay

Shirley Ann Papay, 91, of Mishawaka entered into heavenly rest with her beloved daughter by her side, on Tuesday, October 10, 2023. She was born in South Bend on April 18, 1932, to the late Ken Harlow and Nellie (Waldow) Colbert.

Surviving is a daughter, RaeAnn Callahan, of Mishawaka, along with six grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, a brother, Jay Colbert, of South Bend, and sister Karen Colbert, of Elkhart. Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, children, Victoria Cartwright and Michael Papay and a sister, Janice Pullman.

Shirley found peace in offering comfort and assistance to others. For over 10 years Shirley served as a personal aid for clients through her work at Comfort Keepers. It was during this time that she also volunteered as the local Northern Indiana Food Bank and managed Williamsburg on the Lake Apartment complex. Mrs. Papay also took her faith very seriously and raised all her children in the Catholic faith, she attended St. Monica’s Catholic Church in Mishawaka and continued her passion to help others with volunteering at local Catholic church offices when they needed an extra hand. Her love for her family and joy of cooking and baking whatever her heart desired will be greatly missed by those who were closest to Shirley.

Shirleys wishes were to be cremated and a time to visit with family and celebrate a beautiful life lived is scheduled from 11am – 1p, with a small service at 1pm, Friday, November 10th, at Wells and Cruz Family Funeral Home. Father Jason Freiburger officiating. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park, Granger. 

To honor Shirley’s life and in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or ProMedica Hospice.

To light a virtual candle, share a story of Shirley’s life, or leave a message of comfort for her family, please visit our website at www.wellsandcruz.com and click on the Tribute Tab.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Shirley Ann (Harlow) Papay, please visit our floral store.