Shirley Marlett passed away at five minutes until 3:00 p.m. on October 17, 2023. She was born Shirley Nowlin Moore in Olds, North Carolina on August 17, 1935 and later adopted by her aunt and uncle John and Margaret Kagay in San Antonio, Texas. Shirley developed a love for the theater at Alamo Heights High School and upon graduation was awarded a scholarship to Trinity University.
After marriage to Russell Marlett, Jr. in 1962, in Houston, she continued her love of the theater in numerous acting and directing roles at The Country Playhouse. Later on, a business opportunity drew the family to Dallas where Shirley took a job at North Park Center. There she was instrumental in helping form a theater group that became Dallas Repertory Theater. One more move was in the cards, and the family changed location to Littleton, Colorado where Shirley began a successful real estate career before moving down the road to Castle Rock, Colorado. There, she found time to return to her first love by assuming the role as doyenne of the Douglas County performing arts community. From Colorado, Shirley next wound up in San Diego, California where she and Russell were preparing a 37 foot sailboat for cruising. She had a number of roles in various dinner theaters in Southern California, before setting sail for a three-year adventure down the west coast, through the Panama Canal, and into the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico. Once ashore the couple moved back to Texas, settling in Wimberley where Shirley’s theater career continued alongside real estate. Shirley also took part time assignments with FEMA, leaving town from time to time whenever natural disasters struck in various parts of the country. She was a beloved member of the Wimberley Methodist Church in Wimberley until her final move to McKinney, Texas.
Shirley is survived by her husband, Russell; daughter, Whitney Marlett; and sons, Chris Thompson and John Marlett as well as, a scattering of grand and great grandsons and daughters.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Shirley’s name be made to Hugs Café, 224 E. Virginia, McKinney, Texas 75069.
A traditional memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, November 17, 2023 at the Wimberley United Methodist Church. 1200 County Rd 1492, Wimberley, Texas 78676.
A second Celebration of Life reception will be held from noon until 1:30 p.m. on Friday, November 24, 2023 at the Bell Tower Reserve Community Room, 375 Adriatic Pkwy, McKinney, Texas 75072. The McKinney celebration will be a drop in, casual gathering where friends, family and loved ones can come together to honor and remember the life of Shirley Marlett.