Shirley Mae Wasserbeck Ellis

February 21, 2020

Shirley Mae Wasserbeck Ellis, 84, of Oklahoma City, passed away February 16, 2020. She was born on August 12, 1935 in Chickasha, Oklahoma to Oscar and Mattie Wasserbeck.

 

Shirley attended school in the Oklahoma City area, graduating from Britton Elementary, John Marshall and Central State University. While in school she held many elected positions in social clubs and organizations. Shirley was an avid and accomplished tennis player while in college, was on two NAIA national championship teams and she played tennis for many years thereafter in various country clubs and tennis club leagues in Oklahoma City and beyond.

 

Shirley married Stephen Wayne Ellis in 1954 and they had two children, DeeAnn Ellis of Edmond, OK and Greg Ellis, of Oklahoma City. Shirley and Steve were married until Steve’s passing in 1998.

 

Shirley worked in the publishing field early in her career and was a national and international consultant for a large company in New York City, eventually transitioning into the foreign study division. While on the publishing side of the business she was elected the first female president of the Oklahoma Bookman’s Assoc. The foreign study assignments took her to London, England on a regular basis, as she worked with the University of London planning foreign study programs for the European continent. One of the highlights of her work career was the three months that she and Stephen spent in Russia in 1976, while she was affiliated with a Foreign Study program sponsored by the United Nations. Health problems resulted in early retirement.

 

Shirley enjoyed volunteer work, international travel, time spent with her large circle of friends, OU football and basketball games and she rarely missed an OKC Thunder game.

 

A memorial service will be held in the Abbey Mausoleum Chapel at Rose Hill Burial Park, 6001 N.W. Grand Blvd. in OKC, on Friday, February 28 at 3:00 pm. Interment to follow at gravesite. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to OK Humane Society in OKC, WildCare in Noble or Positive Tomorrow’s in OKC.

direct cremation Moore OK
By Oklahoma City Cremation April 13, 2026
When loss feels overwhelming, Oklahoma City Cremation offers calm, respectful support. Call 405-608-4141 today and know your options with confidence.
direct cremation Norman OK
By Oklahoma City Cremation April 6, 2026
Families want clarity, flexibility, and care. Oklahoma City Cremation helps you know your options. Call (405) 608-4141 for trusted, caring guidance today.
direct cremation Midwest City, OK
By Oklahoma City Cremation March 23, 2026
Oklahoma City Cremation helps families make informed arrangements with care and clarity. Call (405) 608-4141 today and know your options.
direct cremation Moore OK
By Oklahoma City Cremation March 16, 2026
Families trust Oklahoma City Cremation for caring guidance after loss. Call (405) 608-4141 today to know your options and get compassionate support.
direct cremation Norman OK
By Oklahoma City Cremation March 9, 2026
Families deserve clarity when planning meaningful remembrance. Oklahoma City Cremation provides guidance and support. Call 405-608-4141 to know your options today.
direct cremation Midwest City
By Oklahoma City Cremation March 2, 2026
Have questions about cremation planning? Oklahoma City Cremation offers clear guidance and support. Call 405-608-4141 today.
direct cremation Moore
By Oklahoma City Cremation February 23, 2026
Oklahoma City Cremation helps families plan with clarity and care. Call 405-608-4141 today to know your options and choose a respectful next step.
direct cremation Norman OK
By Oklahoma City Cremation February 17, 2026
Need help explaining a simple cremation plan to loved ones? Oklahoma City Cremation offers clear guidance and compassionate support, call now!
direct cremation Midwest City, OK
By Oklahoma City Cremation February 9, 2026
Need a simple, respectful goodbye? Oklahoma City Cremation explains flexible choices and next steps. Call to know your options!
By Oklahoma City Cremation February 2, 2026
Oklahoma City Cremation shares ways to honor a life with warmth and intention, even without a formal service. Call (405) 608-4141 to know your options today now. Choosing direct cremation Moore, OK is often about keeping things simple while still treating a loved one with care and respect. Families sometimes worry that “simple” will feel cold or unfinished, but that only happens when there is no plan for meaning. Personal touches do not require a big gathering, a specific timeline, or a scripted format. They come from what the person loved, how they lived, and how your family wants to remember them. When we talk with families, the goal is usually the same, create something that feels true to the person, not performative. In the middle of that planning, Oklahoma City Cremation can help you understand what can happen next, so your family has the freedom to choose the right tribute at the right time. With a few thoughtful choices, a direct cremation can lead into a remembrance that feels intimate, personal, and genuinely special. Start With Their Story, Not a Template Personalization gets easier when you stop thinking in terms of “services” and start thinking in terms of stories. What did they do on a normal Saturday, what music did they always play, what sayings did they repeat, what foods showed up at every holiday? Those details give you a natural direction. A tribute can be as simple as a shared meal where everyone brings a memory, or a quiet evening where family watches home videos and writes notes to keep. If you want structure without formality, pick one theme that sums them up, service, humor, faith, family, craft, or community. Then let that theme guide small choices, photos, a playlist, readings, or a table of keepsakes that help people feel connected. Create a Moment People Can Participate In A tribute feels more personal when people can contribute, even in small ways. Instead of asking someone to “say a few words” on the spot, invite them to bring something meaningful, a letter, a photo, a recipe card, or a short memory written on a note. These contributions create a shared sense of care, and they often help quieter family members feel included. If you want ideas that have worked well for other families, consider the approach behind personal tributes and how it focuses on simple, heartfelt gestures that reflect a real life. The goal is not perfection, it is presence. Let the Setting Do Some of the Talking A meaningful tribute does not have to happen in a traditional venue. For many families, the most “right” place is a backyard, a favorite park, a family cabin, or a room where everyone can relax. The setting can make the gathering feel less formal and more like the person being honored. When people feel comfortable, they share more naturally, and the tone becomes warmer without anyone forcing it. Think about what location matches their personality. A quiet place for reflection, a lively place for laughter, or a familiar place tied to family traditions. When the space fits, you need fewer “extras” to make it feel special. Keep It Simple, But Make the Details Specific Small details can carry a lot of meaning when they are specific. Serve the coffee they always drank, play the song that was always on in their car, display their work gloves, gardening tools, or a well-worn cookbook. Specificity is what makes a tribute feel personal, because it cannot be copied from anyone else’s plan. Families also appreciate knowing what support is available behind the scenes, especially when they want simplicity without confusion. Understanding how cremation services work can remove stress, so your energy goes toward remembrance, not logistics. Choose a Timeline That Fits Your Family One of the quiet benefits of a direct cremation is time. Some families need a pause before they gather, and that is normal. Waiting can allow relatives to travel, emotions to settle, and plans to feel intentional instead of rushed. A tribute can happen weeks later, on a birthday, on an anniversary, or simply when the family feels ready. If you have loved ones who want guidance for the future, having clear wishes written down can be a gift. Our pre-planning services can help families document what matters, so decisions feel calmer when the moment comes. When your family chooses direct cremation Moore, OK, it can still lead to a tribute that feels personal and special, because meaning is built through thoughtful choices, not a preset format. Oklahoma City Cremation is here to support families who want simplicity with dignity, and a remembrance that feels true to the person you love.