Shirley Yvonne Gillam

Shirley Yvonne Pinder was born in Nassau, Bahamas on August 5th of 1936, to the late Mildred and Hubert Pinder. Shirley attended Queen’s College in Nassau and left home by the age of 17 to attend Cosmetology school in Miami, Florida. After gaining experience working in respected salons in Nassau, she landed a job in New York City working for the Ballet Company. She traveled all over the US with the Ballet Company, out of NY, being the stylist for the ballerinas and performers. More opportunities came her way due to her highly respected skills and adored personality and she worked and lived in Montreal and then Bermuda. She always spoke of her travels with pride and found joy in her memories. She eventually was offered a position as a stylist at a high profile salon in Atlanta, Georgia and decided to try another adventure.

Shirley married Earl David Gillam, Jr. in Atlanta on September 7th,1963 and she remained married to him until his passing on March, 23rd, 2019. Aside from becoming an amazing Mom to two children, she was a wonderful sister to all of her 10 siblings, a very present and supportive family member to all in her huge family, wonderful friend, supportive spouse, loving Godmother, and a rockstar Grandmother! Shirley’s countless friendships were a testimony to her fine character. She was uniquely thoughtful, loving, kind, adventurous, creative, intelligent, energetic, generous, and always had a very positive outlook on life. She touched many people through her adventures, travels, and activities in her life and all that knew her, loved her. Her heart was full of love and she had so much to give and to share. She loved many and was loved by many. She was generous with her heart, time, work, and always did all that she could do to help others.

Shirley found joy in many things in her life. She loved to garden, she loved birds, rainbows, plants, flowers, exercise, her Episcopalian faith and church, creating, reading, angels, family, music, children, and sewing to name a few of her life’s treasures. She was a talented Beautician and had many clients that were dedicated to her talents for several decades. Shirley was always proud of the British influence that shaped her upbringing which shined through in how she held herself with class. She was a collector of items that made her feel close to her personal family heritage. She was a voracious reader all of her life and had a passion and affection for nonfiction and exploring new information. Shirley was a very talented seamstress. She made many types of clothing, dresses, curtains, wedding veils, cross stitch, art, pillows, and many beautifully designed quilts. Shirley always loved to exercise and enjoyed spin classes, yoga, swimming, tai chi, weight classes, and always made many friends wherever she lived that shared in her interests. Shirley was very active at All Saints Episcopal Church in Atlanta, Georgia for several decades.

Later in life, after she relocated to Durango, CO to be close to family, she was thrilled to find a heartwarming community at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church.

Shirley treasured her time with family and would never pass up any moments to spend time with her Children, Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren. Shirley was selfless, loved unconditionally without judgement, was a “second Mom” to so many, emitted loving energy, and has been frequently described as an “angel”.

Shirley passed very peacefully in Durango, CO at the age of 88 years old, on February 27th, 2025 with her daughter by her side. She is survived by her daughter, Etoile, her son, Richard, two granddaughters (Madison and Gracey), two grandsons (Steven and Christopher), four great grandchildren (Wesley, Victoria and Logan, and Noah), her sister (Therese), her brother (Roger), and many nieces and nephews whom she adored.

In Lieu of Flowers, please donate through the following link in Shirley’s memory to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church: https://www.stmarksdurango.org/ways-to-give

A Memorial service and Celebration of her life was held for Shirley at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church on Saturday, May 24th, 2025.