Shirley Read Wiest

Shirley Louise Read Wiest of Henrico, VA left this world at the age of 96, giving Heaven its finest acquisition to date. She was beloved by her friends and family for the unconditional love she showed them, and her beautiful spirit will be greatly missed.

Her life was defined by faith in God, remarkable kindness, benevolence, and service to others. She combined her sewing talents with those of her friend Wilma Bowman to make over 3,000 quilts and lap blankets for organizations that included the Richmond Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU, and Moments of Hope Outreach among others.

Shirley was born in Twin Falls, Idaho to John Edward Read and Hazel Marguerite Kerns Read. She spent her formative years in the potato state before her father took a job in Seattle, Washington where their family relocated. Soon after high school, she met and married her husband, Ted Brent Wiest.  Ted’s career carried the family to multiple locations which included Kansas City, KS; McPherson, KS; Jacksonville, FL; and Culpeper, VA.  Shirley, her youngest daughter Karen, and husband Ted, then finished his career living approximately 17 years in Nigeria before retiring to Midlothian, VA where they lived until Ted’s death in 2007.  Shirley also was preceded in death by her brother Robert Read, sister-in-law Jean Read, and her son-in-law Larry Beatty.

Shirley often said her greatest achievement was raising her children and seeing them marry spouses that became wonderful friends and family.  She is survived by her five children: Bruce Wiest, Barbara Beatty, Julie Wiest (Karen), Paul Wiest (Cheryl) and Karen Ninno (Bill); 11 grandchildren Jessica (Marc), Josh (Carolyn), Mike, Sean, Daniel, Travis, Tracy (Leora), Rachele (Forrester), Kathryn (Marcus), Victoria (Ben), and William; seven great-grandchildren, and her sister Ruth Read McCaslin.

Shirley’s family extends its heartfelt gratitude to the devoted staff at Manorhouse Assisted Living and Memory Care and Suncrest Hospice for the kindness, loving care, and compassionate support they gave Shirley and her family.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. The family welcomes donations in Shirley’s memory to Opening Minds through Art at the Cultural Arts Center of Glen Allen or to Paddy’s Rescue in recognition of their work to support people with Alzheimer’s disease.

Donations to OMA at the Cultural Arts Center of Glen Allen can be made here: https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/2kGfGR0V1Ig1ymnZ1zYfqA

Donations to Paddy’s Rescue can be made here: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=MRJVBHV9558FN