Shirley Jean Thompson

Shirley Jean Thompson, 60, died peacefully at her Talkeetna home at 2:15 a.m., May 17, 2011, after a battle with lung and brain cancer.

Surviving are her loving husband Jason Thompson; her son, Robert Zachow and wife Shelly of Oregon and their children Robertlee, Chonta and Kathren; daughter, Adrianne Coffey and her husband Tarn of Anchorage, and their children Wyatt and George; and son, Byron Rogers of Anchorage and his children Blayze and Zachary.

Shirley was the youngest child in her family and is survived by her 85-year-old mother Vera Bentley.

She has three siblings — sister, Marilyn; brothers, Larry and Kenny; and many nieces and nephews in the Lower 48 and in southeast Alaska.

Shirley was born Sept. 12, 1950, in Iowa, daughter of Harold Byron and Vera Maude Bentley.

“Mother, you are now in the hands of your father after 38 years since his passing,” her family wrote. “We all know you are in good hands. You will always be alive in each of our hearts. Love and miss you, Mamma.”

A memorial service in honor of Shirley is planned at a later date.

Valley Funeral Home and Crematory of Wasilla cared for the family.