Shirley Harryman

Shirley Jane Thomas Harryman died on July 8, 2025, in Billings, Montana. She was 90.

Shirley was born in Missoula in 1935, the second of three children born to Edward W. Thomas and Lena Mercer Thomas. She grew up in Missoula and attended Paxson Elementary School and Missoula County High School, graduating in 1953.  She was an exceptional student and champion tennis player. Shirley attended U of M where she majored in Liberal Arts, worked in the library, and met a handsome Korean war veteran. Shirley married William L. Harryman in 1956 and they both graduated from the University of Montana in 1957. Shirley and Bill had two daughters, Kim Patricia and Jill Corinne.

The family lived in many places in Montana including Clearwater Crossing, Missoula, Superior, and Billings while following Bill's career as a Game Warden. They moved to Libby in 1975.

Shirley worked in various clerical and administrative jobs while raising her family and returned to college to obtain her teaching license in 1970. She taught in Billings and Libby where she was a reading specialist and coordinator for the Gifted and Talented Program before retiring in 1991.

In her retirement years Shirley traveled extensively, taking trips throughout the United States and Europe as well as Australia, Ecuador, and Israel. She also was active in her church, in politics, and volunteered extensively.

She was a loving and generous grandmother to her 6 grandchildren and delighted in the arrivals of her 6 great grandchildren.

Shirley was preceded in death by her infant daughter Kit Valerie, her husband Bill Harryman, her parents, son- in-law Brett McPherson, and her brother Gary Thomas.

She is survived by her sister Patricia Colby, and her daughters: Kim Lee and her husband Cyrus of Libby and Jill Johnston and her husband Kermit of Billings. Also surviving are her beloved grandchildren: Rose McPherson and spouse Elizabeth, Christian McPherson and wife Kate, Amanda McPherson, Kira Lee and husband Andrew Frizzell, William Lee, and Kevin Lee.

Continuing her legacy are great grandchildren: Susquehanna McPherson, Iain McPherson, Ethan McPherson, Gabriel McPherson, Nolan McPherson, and Brooks Lee Frizzell.

 If anyone desires to make a memorial, the family suggests Lincoln County Library Foundation, 220 W. 6th Street, Libby Montana, 59923 with a note “Shirley Harryman memorial” contributions will be used for additions to their children's collection.