Shirlee Ann Guss Hertz 1933 ~ 2009 For those who loved and knew Shirlee Ann Guss Hertz, we mourn the loss of her life today. Among the many successes and accomplishments of her life was her victory as a 30 year breast cancer survivor. With an heroic decision of bravery and self-recognition, after one and a half years of diagnosed Leukemia, she directed her life's medical journey, choosing to halt the continuation of rapidly declining benefits of medical treatment. She became a Hospice patient under the caring support of Rocky Mountain Hospice. Shirlee's life was filled with her love for family, her friendships and community involvement. She grew up in Salt Lake City and met her husband Fred when she was five years old, only to marry him 21 years later. He was her love and her dearest friend for 47 years until his death in 2006. Her daughters, Alison and Shauna have lost their best friend, confidant and an incredible role model, after which to pattern their own lives. Shirlee showed them the importance of strength, independence, and family by the way she lived her own life. Shirlee's Jewish Community involvement began with Hillel while attending the U of U. She served twice as B'nai B'rith Girls Advisor. She continued her community involvement serving as Congregation Montefiore Sisterhood President and later she served on the committee which brought together Congregation Montefiore and Temple B'nai Israel to form the new Congregation Kol Ami. Shirlee worked at the Guadeloupe Education Center and the United Jewish Federation of Utah prior to her retirement. Shirlee's life was enriched 10 years ago with the birth of her grandson, Justin. He was the light in her eyes and one of the biggest loves of her life. He brought joy and happiness to her life daily, and during her illness he was a source of strength and perseverance. She is survived by her daughters; Alison Hertz, Shauna (John) Carpenter, her grandson, Justin Carpenter, her sister Pauline Guss Wolke, her brother-in-law, Joel B. Shapiro, her sister-in-law, Jeri Spitzer Guss and many dear cousins, nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents, Sam and Doris Guss, her sister, Vivian Guss Shapiro and brother, Irvin Guss. The family wishes to thank Dr. Paul Shami, his staff, the Infusion Center and the Huntsman Cancer Center for the care and the dignity they provided her during her treatment. We extend our deepest gratitude to Clarence Bynum for the attentive care she provided Shirlee and her family until Shirlee's passing. Services will be held on Monday, March 9th at 1:00 p.m. at Evans and Early Mortuary, 574 East 100 South followed by interment at Montefiore Cemetery, "R" Street and 4th Avenue. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Vivian Guss Shapiro Library Fund at Congregation Kol Ami, 2425 E. Heritage Way, Salt Lake City, Utah 84109. Arrangements entrusted to Evans and Early Mortuary.

Salt Lake Tribune, The (UT)
Date: March 8, 2009