Shirley May Strange

Shirley May Strange, beloved wife, mother, and “Granny” passed away at the age of 88 on October 10, 2024, in Columbia, Maryland. Shirley was born on December 8, 1935, in Baltimore, Maryland, the third child of Bernard Lanham and Dora Wills Lanham. Shirley's life was devoted to her family and many interests.

After graduating from high school, she worked as a secretary at an insurance firm in downtown Baltimore. While she was working there, she met and married Milton Comegys. It wasn't long before she chose to focus on the most important job of all, raising her family, which she did with an abundance of love and dedication.

They chose to raise their family in Ellicott City, Md. Milton passed away in 1980, and Shirley continued raising her children as a single parent. As her children grew up and moved on, Shirley found love again with her second husband Maxwell Strange. She then moved into his home in Fulton, Md. which they meticulously renovated and redecorated.

Her life was filled with cherished relationships and interests/hobbies that brought her joy. She enjoyed playing tennis in her earlier years, and her love for the sport endured as she became an avid spectator, eagerly following tournaments with Max up until her final days. Her green thumb transformed her garden into a beautiful sanctuary, and her flair for antiquing and interior decorating made her home a reflection of her elegant taste.

Summers were a special time for Shirley where she enjoyed spending time at the pool with her children or “going down to the ocean” during family vacations in Ocean City. Visiting the boardwalk or playing putt-putt golf were some of the highlights. As years went on, she found solace in the tranquility of her sunroom, where she would indulge in the morning newspaper and observe the birds that visited her expansive yard. Her happiest moments were spent in the company of her children and grandchildren, who loved going to Granny and Pop-Pop’s for a visit.

Evenings in Shirley's home were a cozy affair, often spent watching her favorite British mysteries like "Doc Martin" and Agatha Christie's "Marple" and "Poirot" series. These moments of leisure with her husband Max were a well-deserved respite for a woman who gave so much of herself to others.

Those who knew Shirley would invariably describe her as loving, kind, and thoughtful. She had an uncanny ability to make everyone around her feel valued and loved, a testament to the depth of her empathy and the generosity of her spirit. Her presence was a comfort, her advice sought after, and her laughter a melody that enriched the lives of all who had the pleasure of being part of her world.

Shirley's legacy is carried on by her devoted family. She is survived by her son, Jeff (Cathy) Comegys of Maryland, her daughter Valerie (Steve) Hicks of Maryland, her stepson, Steve (Heidi Melander) Strange of California, and her adored grandchildren, Katie, Wesley, Ryan, and Meghan. Her life was predeceased by her loving parents, her brother, her sister, her first husband Milton, her second husband Maxwell, and her stepson Christopher Strange.

The void left by Shirley's departure is profound, yet her spirit remains a guiding light for her family and friends. Her life's journey was one marked by an unwavering commitment to those she held dear, a journey that continues in the memories and hearts of those who were fortunate enough to know her. Shirley May Strange will be dearly missed, but the beauty of her life will continue to inspire and comfort those she left behind.

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