Shirley Louise Hayek

Shirley Louise Hayek, 92, of Frederick, MD passed away Saturday, April 8, 2023. Born August 27, 1930, in Baltimore, MD, Shirley was preceded in death by Carleton “B” Hayek to whom she was married for 69 years.

Shirley was a lifelong Marylander who grew up in the Rosedale section of Baltimore City and attended Western High School. She met “B” at a neighborhood recreation center dance and they never looked back—beginning a 70+ year love affair. They were married in 1950, and started their family after “B” returned from his service during the Korean War.

Shirley worked for several different companies through the years, including an insurance company, a donut factory and a commercial lighting firm, but the profession she enjoyed most—for more than 15 years--was “working the window” at the Ellicott City, MD post office. The post office was the perfect spot to complement Shirley’s interest in people. Countless dinner conversations at home began with “guess who came into the post office today.”

By 1961, Shirley was the mother of three boys. After having two boys, Shirley fondly remembered the obstetrician who delivered her third child saying “Congratulations, Mrs. Hayek, your little girl—is a boy.” And her three boys became her world. She added chef, driver, tutor, therapist, nurse, and a half-dozen other titles to her resume. And she cheerfully “took one for the team” when she endured tent nights in the “Hayek Hilton” and propane stove camping during family road trips to western national parks. Years later, Shirley cherished her growing family, first with daughters-in-law and then grandchildren. Nana loved hosting the family for pool weekends, and being part of special family events and outings. During their 60s, Shirley & “B” traveled the world with friends and had a blast buying and selling collectibles at their own booth in an antique mall. Their collectibles business was the perfect hobby for two people who were crazy in love for a lifetime.

Shirley is survived by her sons Scott (and his wife Heidi), Brian (and his wife Robin), and Brad. She is also survived by five grandchildren-Sam, Randy, Bailey, Ross and Evan; and dear friend and sister-in-law Phyllis Loetell of Pittsgrove, NJ; and nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by a sixth grandchild, Jeff, her daughter-in-law Libby, and her parents Robert and Louise Whitmore of Baltimore.

Visitation with family and friends will be at Keeney & Basford P.A. Funeral Home (Frederick, MD) from 4- 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 9, including a short memorial service at 6 p.m. A private family burial will take place at a later date at the U.S. Veterans Cemetery in Rocky Gap, MD.