Shirley Anita (Thompson) Hassing
Shirley Anita (Thompson) Hassing died of lung cancer in Wishram, under hospice care at the age of 80.
She was born in Goldendale on Oct. 3, 1929, to Floyd Oren Thompson and Mary Lucinda Tuttle. Shirley was one of six children born to Floyd and Mary Lucinda—Eldon Thompson, Marge Schroder, Vesta Hyder, Marvelyn Smith and Velma McKinney.
She graduated from Goldendale High School with the class of 1947. Soon after, she met and married John A. Hassing. They were married on April 7, 1948. They farmed in Centerville and raised two children, Robert and Leona. They remained married, although in the later years were separated. John died of a heart attack in 1995.
Shirley moved to Richland, where she met and became a companion to Voresse Petty. They were together 35 years. During some of that time, she worked at the Hanford Project.
Shirley was a stay-at-home mom. She loved raising a garden, planting flowers and reaping the benefits. She had the best looking flower bed and luscious garden in the neighborhood.
Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, her husband John, sister Velma McKinney and companion Voreese Petty.
Survivors include her two children, son Robert G.Hassing, Sr. of Vancouver; daughter, Leona M. Hassing, of Pasco, and grandchildren Joli, Heather and Robert, Jr.
Funeral services were held at Columbia Hills Memorial Chapel in Goldendale on Jan. 12, with interment at Holy Trinity Catholic Cemetery.
