Shirley has been an Everwise member for over 40 years and served on the Supervisory Committee before being elected to the Board of Directors in 1994. She received her bachelor's and master's degrees in mathematics and business from Indiana University.
Her love of mathematics led her to serve with the Michiana Teachers of Mathematics, Indiana Council Teachers of Mathematics, South Bend Community School Corporation, and Indiana University South Bend. Shirley used her mathematics and business skills in her role as Treasurer of NEA South Bend and was a member of many negotiating teams before her retirement from the Mathematics department at South Bend's Washington High School.