Shirley E. (Sterner) Stephens died peacefully on April 9, 2025 surrounded by her loving family.

She was the daughter of Ben and Peg Sterner. Shirley was predeceased by her parents, her husband, James R. (Dick) Stephens, Jr., her brother, Ben Sterner and sister, Rae Moore.

Shirley leaves behind her daughter Kathy DiSabatino; sons, Rick (Val) Stephens, Ted (Sherry) Stephens and Dan (Sherry) Stephens; 11 grandchildren, Jessica (Len) Janssen, Stephanie (Jeff) Gray, Sandy (Mike) August, Rachel (Brad) Allen, Kira DiSabatino, Sara Stephens, Valerie (Ian) Deptula, Michelle (Bobby) Midgely, Eric (Katie) Stephens, Andrews (Allie) DiSabatino, Lauren (Ty) Snook and 19 great grandchildren, Roux, Eloise and Stella Janssen; Chloe and Miles Allen; Ruby DiSabatino; Brody, Wyatt and Grace August, Mason Moore, Foster Carter, Jackson and Sophia Midgely, Justin and Trevor Deptula, Zachary Stephens, Ava and Ryder Gray, Lettie Snook as well as many nieces and nephews and their children.

Shirley was born March 14, 1934 in Chester Crozier Hospital and lived most of her life on Grubb Road in north Wilmington. She attended Alfred I. DuPont elementary school and Alexis I. DuPont High School. Unbeknownst to her, she met her future husband in first grade because they were seated in alphabetical order. They were married 65 years before he passed away.

Shirley enjoyed being a mom and housewife. Her home was always filled with neighborhood kids, friends and family. It wasn't until her husband began his own electrical contracting business that she worked outside the home, becoming his VP, secretary and treasurer.

Shirley attended Silverbrook Methodist Church for many years where she thoroughly enjoyed singing in the choir. Summers, she took her children, family members and neighbor children to Canby Pool in Wilmington so they could learn to swim from the American Red Cross. Eventually, she herself learned to swim and even earned her swim instructor badge. She taught swim lessons for many years to other adults and was a lifeguard for the Opportunity School of Wilmington's summer day camps for the developmentally disabled. She worked at Wawa in her later years, greeting everyone at the coffee bar and was known as "Diva Shirley".

Shirley enjoyed antiques, visiting Williamsburg and decorating for each and every holiday, especially Christmas. Boy did she LOVE Christmas! After moving to Sussex County in 2020, she joined the Ocean View Cheer Center and thoroughly enjoyed their weekly trips and the new friends she met. She also enjoyed her daily trips to Hocker's Deli with her pal, Stacey Kyger, for her flavored iced coffee, where she made even more friends. Shirley will be dearly missed by her family.

A celebration of Shirley's Life will be held on July 11, 2025 at 11 A.M. in the Ocean View Chapel of Melson Funeral Services, 38040 muddy Neck Road, Ocean View, DE 19970 where friends and family may gather at 10 A.M. The family wishes to thank the Delaware Hospice and Palliative care teams for their wonderful care of Shirley in her last weeks, as well as the many friends that have reached out to the family during this time. They request no flowers, but donations can be made in Shirley's name to Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963, the Ocean View Cheer Center, 30637 Cedar Neck Road, Ocean View, DE 19970 or your favorite charity.