Shirley Mae Hare, 1933*2025

Shirley Mae Hare, 91, of Lake Wales, Florida passed away on February 1, 2025. She was a sparkling and shining light in the lives of so many people. With her brilliant spirit, radiant smile, and compassionate heart, she seamlessly blended her roles as a homemaker and nurturing parent with a career as a preschool teacher and children's caregiver. She was that special star for her family and friends, her students, the young children she cared for and everyone who had the chance to know her.

Born on June 17, 1933, to Hilda and Myron Ebert, Shirley spent her childhood in Allentown, PA. She graduated from Allentown High School and shortly thereafter married Stanley Reiss and moved to Miami, FL. She found her niche in child development and enjoyed raising her children and teaching at Bayshore Lutheran Church. Though the marriage wasn't permanent, Shirley and Stanley did have 5 children together, all of whom they adored, and remained in touch throughout their lives.

Shirley moved to Lake Wales in 1980 and spent the next 44 years doing what she loved. She met her late husband, Bob Hare, at the Parents Without Partners support group for single parents-after all, they had 11 children between the both of them! Shirley and Bob were married in 1984 and blended their families which continued to grow to include 13 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren. Shirley enjoyed her teaching career at Lake Wales Lutheran Church and Babson Park Elementary School.

She also was a loving caregiver to many prominent families in Lake Wales. When she wasn't teaching or caring for children, Shirley enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, having her grandchildren and great grandchildren over to "Camp Nana", boating with Bob on Crooked Lake, gathering with her Gal Pals from Curves, and spoiling her dog, Duke. Considering Lake Wales as her hometown,

Shirley moved to the Water's Edge Senior Living Community in 2021, where she led an active retirement with new friends. The family would be remiss without recognizing Betty Welton and Virginia Moore as Shirley considered them, not only friends, but part of her family-and oh, the adventures they had!

Shirley is survived by her children, LeeAnn Brehm (Scott), Diane Frady (Gary, d. 2012), Thomas Reiss (Miriam) and Jennifer Reiss (Dave) from her marriage to Stanley Reiss, as well as her stepchildren from her marriage to Bob Hare, Sandy Reilly (Jim), Jim Hare (Sherry), Rick Hare (Marlene), Debbie Presley, Cheryl Miller (Mike) and Bobby Hare. She is preceded in death by her late husband, Bob Hare (d. 2017); her son, Duane Reiss (d. 2020) and her sister, Dolores Zettlemoyer (d.1995).

Shirley's passing has left an enormous hole in the lives of those who loved her, but her legacy of love and compassion will carry on in the many lives she touched.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in Shirley's name to the American Heart Association.

The family will hold an interment at Florida National Cemetery and memorial gathering honoring and celebrating Shirley's life at a later date.