Shirley Ann Gratt

b. 7 August 1933 d. 29 December 2017

Shirley was born in Chicago, Illinois to Charlotte and Edward. She was the Granddaughter of Viola and George. Shirley and her younger brother, Ronald, grew up on the South Side of Chicago. Shirley worked for General Mills and the Chicago Public Schools System.

In the Great Chicago Blizzard of 1967, she bravely trekked through the enormous snow drifts to the store to get groceries for her children, mom and aunt. It was an extremely difficult hike and took her several hours to get there and return. She was a strong, tough lady who would always tell it like it is!

Shirley was a single parent for many years and raised her daughters, Veronica and Loretta. She married Robert Gratt Sr. and, in 1973, Bobby was born. Bobby’s dad passed away in 1983 and she spent her life until the age of 80 taking care of Bobby, who had Cerebral Palsy and Epilepsy. Not only was she his mom, but also his advocate, and watched over him with great love and care until his passing in 2016.

In 1993, Shirley and Bobby made the move from Chicago to San Antonio. In her later years, she attended the Northeast Side Senior Center, where she enjoyed the friendships she made, and her Bingo days! Shirley had a love for animals, especially cats, dogs and birds. She would often stop to pet her neighbor’s cats and dogs, and feed strays around her apartment complex. She leaves behind her cat companion and roommate, Precious, who she adopted 3 years ago.

Shirley had three loving children – Veronica (Daniel) Cohen, Loretta (Joseph) Bufanio and Robert (Bobby) J. Gratt Jr. Shirley has four grandchildren – Jennifer Porter, Michelle (James) Schuler, Tabitha Bufanio and Kevin Bufanio. Shirley was blessed with seven great grandchildren – Bryleigh, Bristol and Brennah Porter, Carsyn and Cassidy Schuler, Hayden Bohacik and Jayce Saldana.

She leaves us with many great memories of her life and one phrase of hers will live on for many more years - “Be Careful. Be Safe.”