Shirley Robinson Shaver

Shirley Robinson Shaver

Shirley Robinson Shaver was born in Roanoke, Virginia on January 7, 1928. At seven years old Shirley bagan taking piano lessons and thus her life-long love with the piano was born. By age seventeen, she was playing for fashion and talent shows, department store entertainment and over live radio broadcast. She never allowed her passion to fade and well into her eighties continued to take every opportunity to play for others.

On her birthday, in 1947, Shirley married her childhood sweetheart, Jerry. Jerry's education and career moved the couple from Virginia to North Carolina, to South Carolina, to Georgia, back to Virginia and finally, in 1970, the couple landed in Greensboro, where they remained until moving to River Landing at Sandy Ridge in 2003.

Among her greatest joys in life, Shirley had three children, Gary, Steve and Suzanne. She was especially fortunate to also have two grandchildren, a grandson, Daniel and a granddaughter, Alicia.

Together, Shirley and Jerry enjoyed fundraising and led a most successful campaign while in Clarksville, Virginia, to build a state-of-the-art baseball park initially named the Clarksville Dixie Youth Park. The park was completed in 1966, and in 1972 the ballfield was named Shaver Field, in Shirley and Jerry's honor. While at River Landing, the couple helped raise funds for capital improvements and the Employee Appreciation Fund. They also spent over a decade volunteering for Hospice. Shirley's biggest gift to those around her was the beautiful music she played, and while at River Landing she routinely used her skill to entertain residents of the Memory and Health Care Centers.

A River Landing at Sandy Ridge Society Member, Shirley left in her estate plans a $25,000 bequest in order to purchase a gift for residents to remember her by, two upright pianos and the hope that all those hearing the music played on the ivory keys would be delighted.

Her son, Steve, said the following of his mother's gift, "Mom loved music and loved seeing others enjoying music, especially piano music. That River Landing was able to purchase two new beautiful pianos, because of her gift, would make her very pleased and proud — and she'll enjoy every song that those pianos play."

"Playing the piano brought such joy for Shirley and especially for the residents of the River Landing community," stated Tom Smith, Executive Director of River Landing at Sandy Ridge. "I can't think of anything more appropriate than the gift of music for residents who were touched by her piano playing."

Have you thought about investing in the future of River Landing at Sandy Ridge?

Current and future gifts to The Presbyterian Homes Foundation, Inc. (dba Brightspire Foundation) can be earmarked to support River Landing in a way that reflects your personal philanthropic goals and priorities. If you would like to discuss the possibility of including River Landing in your planning, please contact Marisa Ray at (336) 886-6553, Ext. 5118 or mray@brightspire.org for additional information.

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