Mrs. Shirley Leigh Balcer, our strong and resilient matriarch, passed away on her 89th birthday at Covenant Cooper Hospital in Saginaw.

Shirley was born on September 12, 1937 in Fenton to Rolland and Alice Fletcher. On November 19, 1955 she married Gerald Joseph Balcer and they shared 70 years of marriage. Together they raised five children. The lights of Shirley’s life, however, were her grandchildren. They brought her immense joy and she took great pride in having been a caregiver for each of them in their younger years.

Shirley worked for many years at Millington Schools. After retirement, she worked for both Book Warehouse and Crabtree & Evelyn. Shirley was an independent woman, a pioneer before her time. She spoke her truth and held fast to her beliefs, traits that she passed on lovingly to her children and grandchildren. Shirley was a phenomenal baker and the world will be much less sweet without her gifts.

She will be forever missed by her husband Gerald Balcer Sr., as well as her three daughters: Carolyn, Nancy (Jeff), and Valerie. Additionally she is survived by many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

Shirley was reunited with her beloved sons, Gerald Jr and Ronald, as well as her siblings, her parents and her son-in-law David Green.

Shirley’s family will receive visitors on Friday, September 18 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Family hour will begin at 1 p.m. In addition, they will receive visitors on Saturday, September 19 at 10 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m. Reverend Grant Lobb will officiate. Burial will follow in the Millington Township Cemetery.

Kindly share a memory with Shirley's family in the guestbook below.

Shirley and her family are in the care of Hanlin Funeral Home in Millington. Address: 4823 Main Street, Millington, MI 48746. Phone (989) 871-4591.

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