August 18, 2023 – June 9, 2023
Shirley Annella Cmolik died Friday, June 9 in her Mesa Arizona residence. Shirley was born August 18, 1938 in Jerome Idaho to Ralph and Thelma Sturges. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family, preceded in death by sisters Sharon (Johnson) and Sheryl (Dannelley), and brother William Sturges.
The Sturges family moved to Arizona in the 1950s, and Shirley graduated from Mesa High School in 1956 and married Ronald Lee Lenhart the same year. They lived a nomadic Air Force life, having firstborn Sheri Lynn (Emard) in Maine before returning to Arizona to have daughter Stephanie Lee (Fischer) and son Steven Michael Lenhart. Shirley worked as an Administrative Assistant for Salt River Project, a bookkeeper and office manager.
Later in life, Shirley married Robert Cmolik, who would remain her loyal partner for over 25 years until his death in 2019.
Shirley had a razor-sharp wit and acute awareness of the world around her. She was a constant online companion to myriad friends and family, who were often surprised by the technical ability of this intelligent, ornery and stubborn 84-year-old.
In person, Shirley never met a stranger whose story she didn’t want to hear. She would befriend entire shifts of care providers, often remembering their names, their children’s names and endless details of their lives after only one or two short visits.
She volunteered at Banner Baywood hospital for years, driven by her desire to help people in challenging circumstances. She was a fiercely loyal neighbor and friend that loved visiting her street’s residents, her Monday card games with “the Girls” and even slamming down a few happy hour margaritas when she thought it necessary. She was tirelessly social and endlessly entertaining.
In lieu of flowers, Shirley asked that donations be made to the Hospice of the Valley. They are incredible people doing important and difficult work, and her family is eternally grateful for their help and support. Shirley requested that no services be held. Her ashes were returned to nature in the Superstition Mountains in Mesa, joining those of her husband Bob and brother Bill.
