Shirley Ann Tomlinson, 83

Shirley Ann Tomlinson passed away peacefully Feb. 23, 2007 at her home in Twin Lakes Village, Idaho, with close family and loved ones by her side. She was 83. Known in the Village as Annie, she was dearly loved and will be sorely missed by her family and a wealth of friends. Shirley Ann was born in Denver, Colo., April 20, 1923, to Margaret and Earl J. Hupp.

She was an only child. The family moved to California, first to Santa Monica and then to San Francisco, where she lived for most of her formative years. She developed a love of dance, and became a chorus line girl. She loved the theatre and music, and especially jazz music. Shirley married Joe Kearny and had a daughter, Sandra Elizabeth.

They later divorced, and she married Leslie Olin Lyman, bearing three children by his name: Rick Leslie, Christopher Robin,

and Leslie Ann. Les passed away in 1959. Shirley then married Paul Tomlinson, and left California in 1968 with her family to start a new calling as a Christmas tree grower in North Idaho. She lost Paul to cancer in 1979, but carried on as a Christmas tree farmer for many years. Her groundbreaking efforts at reintroducing White Pine as a disease resistant strain of the Idaho State Tree led her to be honored by placing a Christmas tree at the Capital Building in Boise at the Governor's request in 1984.

Shirley married Ray (Tommy) Tomlinson and settled in at Twin Lakes Village, where she resided for the last 23 years of her life. Tommy passed away from a heart attack in 1999.

In her later years, she traveled to such places as Antarctica, South America, The Baltic Fjords, New Zealand, Hawaii, The Caribbean, and most recently to Alaska. Shirley was also a charter member, sat on the Board and was a prime benefactor and supporter of the Spokane Dixieland Jazz Festival. She lived a full and vibrant life, and will remain as a source of inspiration to all that were lucky enough to know her in her lifetime.

She is survived by half-sister Joy Beckett of Lafayette, Calif.; daughter Sandra Oliver of Rathdrum, Idaho; son Rob Lyman of Spokane, Wash.; daughter Leslie Hanson of Post Falls, Idaho; two step daughters, Paula Tomlinson-Smith of Nine Mile Falls, Wash.; and Patricia Favalora of Salinas, Calif. She also was blessed to have seen 16 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren follow in the footsteps of time. Shirley has requested no services, but the family will instead hold a gathering in celebration of her life at her Timberlane home, 5299 Green Ct. # 13, Twin Lakes Village, Idaho, from 1-5 p.m. on Saturday, Mar. 10, 2007. Any memorial contributions may be donated to Hospice of North Idaho, who provided a source of great comfort and reassurance in her last days.