Shirley Anne (Tutoli) Meili

Shirley Anne (Tutoli) Meili

A Caring Wife and Fantastic Mother -

After a valiant fight with cancer, Shirley Anne Meili, 64-years-old, passed away peacefully on the morning of September 14, 2017.  She was surrounded by people who love and cherish her.  From diagnosis to her last breaths, it was Shirley’s wish to keep the unfortunate news among only her family and closest friends.  Throughout her illness, she continued to make sure everyone around her was comfortable and happy.  She was a fighter, and her loved ones are so grateful that she is no longer in pain.

Shirley was born on December 2, 1952 in Bridgeport, CT, daughter of Anne Cretella Tutoli and the late Peter J. Tutoli, sister of Lynn Petrosino and Peter Tutoli.  She leaves behind a large group of supporters and heartbroken family members, friends, co-workers, and people she met from all walks of life.  People adored Shirley for her compassion and infectious laughter.  She was known for speaking her mind and telling it how it is, and let me tell you, she never held back.  Her memory was impeccable, and as her best friend, Starr, once said, “She could tell you what you ate for dinner 25 years ago and how much it cost and who all was there!”  Though it often came back to bite her husband, Gary, when he was reminded of something he did wrong 30 years ago. Throughout her life, Shirley won the trust and hearts of many; she was truly a gift to us all.

She will be sorely missed and survived by her mother, Anne Cretella Tutoli of Columbus, OH; her loving husband of 33 years, Gary Meili; her daughter, Lauren Meili and her significant other, Vincent Damiano, of Carlisle, PA; her sister, Lynn Petrosino and her husband, Steve, of Columbus, OH; her brother, Peter Tutoli of Indianapolis, IN; her nieces and nephews: Angela Johnson and her husband, Derrick, Aaron Petrosino and his wife, Ashley, Elliott Johnson, Elias Johnson, Nora Johnson, Michael Meili and his wife, Emily, Mark Meili and his wife, Lindsey Swank-Meili, Megan Noe and her husband, Shane; and her beloved pets, Cha-Cha and Lily.  She was preceded in death by her father, Peter J. Tutoli, who we are sure anxiously awaited her arrival at Heaven’s gates.

A dedicated employee, co-worker, and supervisor, Shirley worked at the Pennsylvania State Comptroller’s Office for 35 years before her retirement.  She also liked to stifle her daughter, Lauren, and her whining about minimum wage by telling her that she made less than $2.00 an hour at her first job.  Shirley met her husband, Gary, while they both lived in Carlisle, PA.  She swore that he would not leave her alone due to his wild attraction for her, but the couple was married on August 18, 1984, so she must have reciprocated those feelings eventually.  Married for 33 years, Shirley and Gary raised Lauren in Mechanicsburg, PA.  She lovingly referred to their trio as “The Three Musketeers”.  A caring wife and fantastic mother, she kept their world spinning and left behind a legacy that will never be forgotten or replaced.

A true family woman, Shirley had an ardent love for her parents, siblings, nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles, cousins, and everyone in-between.  She frequently traveled to Columbus, OH to visit with her side of the family, whom she loved dearly.  While at home, her hobbies included shopping sprees, reading, rearranging the household furniture, outings with friends, watching TV and movies with her daughter, cooking, praying, playing with pets, and so much more.  Shirley was a mother, wife, sister, daughter, aunt, and friend.  She was an avid Jeopardy! watcher, a woman of God, a master-stuffed-shell-maker, diehard Grateful Dead fan, Boston-sports-team-enthusiast, Old Gaelic Rugby royalty, and as some liked to call her, “Miss Sunshine”.

All are welcome to join Shirley’s family as they gather with family and friends to celebrate and remember her life with food and fellowship on Thursday, September 21, 2017, from 11:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. with a time a remembrance and sharing of stories to begin at 1:30 p.m. at the Community Center, 201 East Green Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055; with Celebrant George A. Spangler officiating.  Cremation was private.

Contributions in celebration of Shirley’s life can be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 897, Hershey, PA 17033, www.Cancer.org.

Shirley’s family has entrusted her care to Myers – Buhrig Funeral Home and Crematory in Mechanicsburg, (717) 766-3421.  Read Shirley’s full obituary, view her memorial portrait and video, and sign her official guest book at Buhrig.com.