Shirley Panietz, 95, passed away Sunday, March 21, 2021 peacefully at Pacifica Senior Living Oakland Heights. The California native was born in Oakland on June 22, 1925, the youngest of five children, to the late Harry and Ida Adams.
Shirley graduated from Oakland High School in 1943 and was married to her sweetheart, Jacob Panietz when he returned from military service, on May 18, 1947. They were nearly inseparable for the duration of their 69 years together. In the early years of their marriage she devoted her time to raising their three children and was involved in and supportive of their many interests, as well as involved in the lives of her extended family and friends. She was an excellent hostess who made everyone feel welcome. Travel enriched her later life and she brought back treasures to her grandchildren from places such as Asia, Australia, and the Caribbean.
She was most proud of and will be remembered as a beloved and remarkable spouse, mother, friend, aunt, grandmother and great grandmother. One way she expressed her love was through her extraordinary ability to knit almost anything. In addition, she was a talented cook, baker, and an accomplished seamstress who also enjoyed Mahjong, collecting cows, crafting, growing orchids, and volunteering. The City of Hope Hospital benefited from her devotion to them for many years.
Shirley leaves her daughters Debora (David) Carroll (Wisconsin) and Karen Panietz (Arizona), son Randy (Juli Flores) Panietz (Sonora, California), grandchildren Rachel (Max) Herzl-Betz (Henderson, Nevada), Aaron Panietz (Oregon), and Ahna (Derreck) Fabbro (Yreka, California) and great grandchildren Sydney, Aleathia, Johanna, Mason, Miriam, and Jack. Her husband Jacob Panietz and grandson Michael Carroll preceded her in death.
Internment was at Home of Eternity Cemetery, 5000 Piedmont Ave. in Oakland on Wednesday March 24, 2021. Rabbi David Steinberg conducted a short service via Zoom. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to City of Hope or DES Action.