Shirley Daum
Obituary

Shirley Lorena Daum, 90, of Downey, California, passed peacefully at home on Monday, August 17, 2026.  Shirley was born March 01, 1936 in a country farmhouse near Hollister, Idaho to Richard and Janet (Peters) Carter.

Growing up, grades 1 through 12 were initially all in Hollister, Idaho in a single two-story brick building.  Eventually 12th graders were bused to Filer High School, and then to Twin Falls High School where she graduated in 1954.  Shirley met her future husband on her school bus rides to Twin Falls High.

After graduation, Shirley attended Twin Falls Business College and did part-time work for several local attorneys as part of a training program.  She then worked for the Twin Falls Credit Bureau after finishing Business school until she married James Whittier Daum on May 17, 1956.

Married life began in Seattle, Washington where she had her first child, Michael.  In 1957 after spending the summer on the family farm in Idaho they moved to California.  Shirley had her second child, Cheryl in 1959.  Shirley enjoyed being room mother for both her children during elementary school, acting as school librarian and volunteering for special events.

Shirley always had a one-thousand-piece jigsaw puzzle in process. Annual camping trips to the Eastern Sierra and visiting National Parks were favorite family traditions.

Shirley is survived by family in California; two children; Michael and Karen Daum; Cheryl and Edward Wallace.  Two grandchildren; Nicholas and Steffany Daum; Andrea Daum; and one great grandchild; Anahid Daum Jamgochian.  Shirley was preceded in death by her husband James Whittier Daum; parents, Richard and Janet Carter; and her brother Jim Carter.

A private celebration of life will be held for the immediate family.