Shirley Buchberger

Shirley Buchberger, 90 of Willoughby, passed away on June 14, 2026, at Breckenridge Village in Willoughby, OH. She was born on July 12, 1935, in London, England. At age four, Shirley was one of thousands of children separated from their families and evacuated to the English countryside while their parents remained in London to fight the Battle of Britain. Following WWII, Shirley reunited with her family in Wellingborough where she attended the County High School for Girls, and then Wellingborough College, where she graduated in 1952 with a mastery of shorthand. Shirley met her husband, Al, a member of the US Army, at a British dance hall in 1953 - a chance encounter that sparked a 72-year courtship of loving devotion. Shirley and Al moved from England to the States in 1956. Except for a three-year stint on a military base in Germany (1966-68), Shirley spent the next 69 years near the Great Lakes: Michigan 16 yrs, Ontario 2 yrs and Erie 48 yrs. Despite the distance, Shirley remained in steady contact with her Clan in the UK and kept close tabs on the trials and tribulations of the British Monarchy. Shirley was an incurable optimist, always saw the good in people, and was a source of unconditional love and support for her children and grandchildren. During her working career, Shirley used her shorthand skill, sunny disposition and impeccable English accent to thrive as Executive Secretary at three major manufacturers: Simplicity, CE Tyler, and Great Lakes Power. When she retired in 2000, the CEO insisted Shirley’s greeting remain on the answering machine as it was recognized around the world as the voice of the company. In retirement, Shirley avidly followed the Guardians and Cavaliers. She loved crossword puzzles, played Jeopardy nightly, assisted at St. Gabriel’s food pantry, and enjoyed nature walks through the forest in the Holden Arboretum or along the dunes at Headlands State Park. Shirley was very fond of the companionship from close friends at the Breckenridge North Complex, especially her Gang on the 6th floor where Shirley signed off with her signature “toodle-oo”. Shirley is survived by her children, Steven (Kathleen) Buchberger, Suzan Friesner, Kevin Buchberger, and David (Michelle) Buchberger; five grandchildren, Noah (Rebecca), Amber (Jeff), David (Anna), Joshua, and Jessica (Andrew) and six great-grandchildren; sister Angela (Ib) Ravn-Aagaard and her extended family in the UK. Shirley was preceded in death by her husband Alfred Buchberger Jr., and her parents, John and Mary Smith, her siblings, Ron, Terry and Pat Smith, daughter-in-law, Mary Buchberger and son-in-law, David Friesner. A private committal service will be held on July 10, 2026, at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery, 10175 Rawiga Road, Seville, OH 44273. Contributions in her memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html Arrangements entrusted to Brunner Sanden Deitrick Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 8466 Mentor Ave., Mentor, OH 44060. Offer condolences at www.brunners.com

Shirley Buchberger

July 12, 1935 - June 14, 2026