
Shirley was born in Tucson, Az, January 30, 1934 to William George Mihas (a Greek immigrant) and Audrey Watterson Mihas, who preceded her in death, as well as her older brother Ernest. At the age of 3 she and her family moved to Deming, New Mexico. Shirley attended the Deming schools and graduated from Deming High School in 1951.
After her graduation, Shirley worked at the Deming telephone company as a telephone operator. Two years later in 1953, she made the decision to enroll at Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, New Mexico. It was here at Eastern that she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in education with an emphasis in business and later completed her Master’s degree in counseling.
Shirley’s first teaching position was in Susanville, California, where she taught business classes at the local high school and was also the sponsor of the school paper. Missing her family and the southwest, she returned to Deming, NM and soon had a position in the high school, teaching business classes and sponsoring business clubs. Shirley’s dream was to eventually become a high school counselor. Her dream was realized when she became a counselor at Glendale High School and eventually Apollo High School, both in Glendale, AZ. Shirley retired from the Glendale School District in 1992 after 30 years in the district. Shirley was a member of the teachers’ sorority, Delta Kappa Gamma and also a member of the Business and Professional Women’s Sorority.
During her retirement years, Shirley enjoyed attending Red Hat activities and meetings with friends. Shirley especially loved going to the musicals and plays at Gammage Hall in Tempe. She had a passion for reading and traveling, taking trips abroad to Europe, Greece and Israel with family and friends.
Shirley was a member of the Peoria Baptist Church in Peoria, Az.
Shirley is survived by her brother Leo Mihas, Las Cruces, New Mexico; sister Barbara Miller, Tucson, Arizona and by nieces and nephews.
She will be buried at a private family ceremony on March 18, 2021, adjacent to her parents and older brother at Mountain View Cemetery in Deming, New Mexico.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Make A Wish Foundation.
Entrusted to the care of Baca’s Funeral Chapels and Mimbres Crematory.