Obituary of Shirley Scott Erlin

Longtime Santa Cruz resident Shirley Scott Erlin died at home Saturday, surrounded by her family, from complications of lung cancer. She was 82. Born in Martinez, Ca to Carl and Eva Hovey, Shirley was one of five children and spent her early childhood in the East Bay until moving to Boulder Creek where she graduated from high school. Shirley was fortunate to meet the love of her life, Richard Erlin Jr., as a teenager. They met while Shirley worked at the soda fountain at Forest Pool in Boulder Creek in 1948. They married the following year and settled on the West Side of Santa Cruz to raise their quickly growing family -the Erlins had four children in the following six years - three daughters and a son. Throughout her busy life, Shirley never sought attention for herself yet her infectious smile, dry wit and casually elegant style, (capped in her later years by her signature white hair) drew others to her naturally. She amassed countless friends and fond acquaintances in the bleachers of Harvey West and Siltanen Parks while watching thousands of innings of youth baseball, running the Fluff and Fold Laundromat on the East Side of Santa Cruz for more than 20 years, shopping at the Cabrillo Farmer's Market every Saturday morning, and, most recently, swimming with the Santa Cruz Silver Dolphins Swim Club. She treasured vacationing in Maui with her family, faithfully rooting for the Oakland A's through seasons good and not-so-good, and savoring the milestones and accomplishments of her 3 grandsons which brought her unabated joy. She is survived by Dick, her best friend and husband of 63 years, son and daughter-in-law Rick and Sue Erlin of Santa Cruz and daughter and son-in-law Kathi and Bill Davison of Corsicana, Tx. She is also survived by three beloved grandsons, 1st Lt. Matt Erlin, USMC, Tommy Erlin of Willis Group Underwriters, San Jose, and Robbie Erlin, a pitcher within the San Diego Padres organization. She also leaves behind a sister, June Hovey Clark of Spokane Wa., and brother Dean Hovey of Florida and many nieces and nephews. Shirley was preceded in death by daughters Valeri and Jacki. Shirley's quiet grace, beauty, and Aloha spirit will be deeply missed but will live on in the hearts of those lucky enough to have known her. Services will be held at Benito and Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel at 1050 Cayuga St. in Santa Cruz on Friday, January 11, 2013 at 11 am. A visitation will be held on Thursday, January 10, 2013 at Pacific Gardens Chapel from 4:00 - 8:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations to Hospice of Santa Cruz or the SPCA.