Shirley Grace Dilsworth

Shirley Grace Dilsworth, passed away peacefully on August 9, 2023 surrounded by family in her home at the age of 88. 

Shirley was an incredibly loving, generous, and compassionate mother - the kind anyone would be lucky to have.  She had a wide range of talents and gifts that she selflessly shared with anyone.  One of her most remarkable qualities was her strength to face challenges head-on and thrive despite life's adversities.  The following is a brief timeline of her life and the adversities she endured, which taught us all invaluable lessons about developing resilience and how to keep moving forward.

Shirley was born in 1935 in Gladwin, MI to Otto and Dorothy Behnke and was raised in Durand, MI as the third of four siblings.  At a young age, Shirley lost her mother and took on the role of the de facto home "matriarch" for her father and three brothers.  Around the age of 30, she experienced the heartbreaking loss of her father at the hands of gun violence.  She battled and overcame breast cancer, survived two heart attacks, and underwent triple bypass surgery.  She even came out strong after brain surgery following a serious head injury.  She survived the loss of two husbands, with marriages lasting 20 and 37 years.

Shirley was a voracious reader and a lifelong curious learner.  She had a passion for genealogy and spent years meticulously recording over 10,000 records of her family history.  After losing her first husband, Charles Bremer, she began a journey of a complete career reinvention.  Transitioning from a secretary at a small architecture firm, she thrived in a successful 30+ year career at Buick.  She started at a junior level in accounting and finance and from there, during the advent of desktop computers, she taught herself how to code.  Not only did she teach herself how to code, she also shared her knowledge with others and ultimately introduced advanced technical concepts while achieving promotions up to the role of Senior Systems Analyst before her retirement.

We find comfort in her belief and faith that she is now at peace, reunited with family and friends who have gone before her.  A celebration of her life will be held at her home on Sunday, August 13, 2023 in Grand Blanc, MI.  Arrangements are being handled by Sharp Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 6063 Fenton Rd., Grand Blanc. 

Shirley is predeceased by her husbands Charles J. Bremer (1975) and Charles B. Dilsworth (2016), her brothers Bob, Tom and Ken Behnke, Stepdaughter Bethany and Stepson Bradley.  

She is survived by her daughter, Cheryl Cindric and son, Brian Bremer (Eileen), stepsons, Blake Dilsworth (Cindy), Craig Dilsworth and daughter in law, Tammy Dilsworth;  Grandchildren, Rob Cindric (Sara), Megan Bouverette (Josh), Kerry Bremer, Micaelie Bremer, Allyson Dilsworth, Drew Dilsworth (Kylan), Carson Dilsworth and Bryce Dilsworth; Great grandchildren Katelyn Bouverette, Emily Bouverette, Ashlyn Cindric, Ainsley Cindric.

Tributes may shared at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com.