Shirley Marie Brotherton

The family of Shirley Brotherton of Littleton, Colorado is saddened to announce her passing on May 10, 2025, at the age of 92.

Born in Greeley, Colorado to rancher/farmer Edwin Smith and homemaker wife Anna. Shirley’s early years were spent at various farms in Wyoming and Northern Colorado.  She was the youngest of 3; her sisters were Dolores Marich of Greeley, Colorado and JoAnn Moreland of Casper, Wyoming.  The three sisters were very close in age and had a close family connection their entire lives.  (They even all wore the same wedding dress!)

Shirley graduated from Greeley High and then attended 2 years of college at what is now The University of Northern Colorado in Greeley.  She married her high school. sweetheart Donald Eugene Brotherton on June 21, 1953.  She followed Don to Texas as he fulfilled his responsibilities with the Air Force.  When finished, Don took a teaching job at Euclid Jr. High in Littleton, Colorado.  There they settled to raise their family and build a life together.  For many years, Shirley also worked at Euclid as the secretary to the counselors.  Many wonderful, lifelong friends were made. Sadly, Don passed away at the young age of 68, but in her husband’s honor, Shirley kept on living a full life.  She traveled with a travel group, played in many bridge clubs, golfed, went to aerobics classes, cooked, baked, volunteered at the Littleton Hospital and St. Mary’s Catholic church, had many, many friends and was loved by her growing family.

In fact, the Brotherton family has now grown to 37 lucky people.  Daughter Mary Lou Tafel and her husband Greg Tafel of Longmont, Colorado survive her.  They have 3 children; Michael Tafel, his wife Andrea Englander and their 3 children Cooper, Lily and Graham all of Denver, Colorado, Brian Tafel and his wife Danny and their 2 children Harper and Tass all of Saco, Maine, and Alison Tafel and her husband Zach Bruning of Los Angeles, California.  Shirley’s second child is Gary Brotherton and his wife Becky of Greeley, Colorado. They have 2 children; Laura Sigmon and husband Scott and their 5 children, Everett, Elizabeth, Trevor, Helen and Patrick all of Henrico, Virginia, and Robert Brotherton and wife Beth and their 2 daughters, Eleanor and Josie all of Dodge City, Kansas.  Shirley’s youngest son is Tim Brotherton and his wife Susan of Littleton, Colorado.  They have 3 children; Ashley Wilbanks and husband Clayton of Centennial, Colorado and their 2 children Calvin and Addie Mae, Chelsea Lownsdale and husband Jason and their son Leo of Englewood, Colorado, and Max Brotherton and fiancé Taylor Parker of Littleton, Colorado.  We knew her love for us was unconditional.  We were the joy of her life!

Thursday, June 5, 2025 the rosary will be said at Drinkwine Mortuary in Littleton, Colorado at 5:00pm.  A Funeral Mass will be held Friday June 6, 2025 at 11:00 am at St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Littleton. Following the funeral service you are invited downstairs for a simple luncheon.

In lieu of flowers the family requests you to make donations to:The Abode Local Employee Assistance Program 445 Union Blvd. Suite 223 Lakewood, CO  80228

Or

The Highline Place Employee Program Assistance Program, 6767 S Broadway Littleton, CO  80122 in honor of Shirley Brotherton, for all of the caring and love she received the last few months of her life.

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