Shirley Wager

Wager, Shirely H. Sep 17, 2018

Shirley Wager Facebook Twitter Email Print Shirley (nee Horwitz) Wager, 90, (and formerly of Beachwood), died Sept. 14, 2018, in West Palm Beach, Fla.

Shirley was born on Nov. 17, 1927, in Detroit to Max Horwitz and Bertha (nee Kuretzky) Horwitz. She was a June 1946 graduate of Glenville High School.

For Shirley, family was the love and the joy of life. The daughter of working class immigrants, she faced the hardships of economic depression and world war. Through it all, she endured and gave her family love, optimism and guidance.

Raising her three children in Beachwood, she participated in PTA, Hadassah, B’nai Brith and bowling leagues at Mayflower Lanes and Cedar Center Lanes. But, it was the “kvelling” about her children and later her grandchildren and great-granddaughter that energized and illuminated Shirley as she embraced her role as Bubbe.

After her children were grown, Shirley had a brief career in retail sales but her life as Bubbe is her legacy. She was adored and embraced by her family and their friends with her ever-positive outlook, often expressed through poems written for a special birthday or another event in the cycle of life.

Bubbe enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, mahjong and playing cards (particularly pan and poker). She was a lifelong Cleveland sports fan and still talked about the magical 1948 Indians season, much to the consternation of her New York friends.

Shirley is survived by her children, Michael Wager (Peggy Gries Wager) of Moreland Hills, Dennis Wager of St. Paul, Minn., and Cindy Gordon Wager (Howard Gordon) of Henderson, Nev.; grandchildren, Sarabeth Tukey (Bradford), Samantha Wager (David Schindelheim), Susie Wager, Carrie Wager and Sarah Wager, and great-granddaughter, Elaine Alice Tukey; and dear friend, Sandra McKinney Wager. She was predeceased by her ex-husband and lifelong friend, Albert Wager.

To all the friends of her children and grandchildren, she was always Bubbe with her broad smile and a warm hug.

Services were held Sept. 20th at The Temple-Tifereth Israel. Burial was at LakeView Cemetery.

Contributions are suggested to The Temple-Tifereth Israel.