Shirley Ann Kudesh

May 2nd, 2021

I received the news of Shelly’s death with sadness and resignation; my own mother, Alice Byron, died in January of 2020 just before the beginning of the whole Covid-19 disaster. Shelly and Alice were the best of friends for some fifty years and it is through my mother that I met Shelly and the rest of the Kudesh family – Harry, Mark, Michael and Rhonda as well as Jennifer and Wayne. Shelly and Alice were kindred souls, in some ways they were alike and in many ways they were different but, in the end, they were a perfect match.

They shared a rural and less than plentiful childhood, ended up in Chicago and married alpha males whom I believe were both empowered and tempered by their devoted and multifaceted wives. They loved to do things, go places, good food, family and just visiting. They took a learn-to-swim course together at the Leaning Tower Y.M.C.A. which I know was a futile effort but they enjoyed and laughed about it just the same. They were full of life, bigger than life, talented and dedicated to their own to a fault.

I am grateful for having known Shelly, she and Harry were kind, generous and loving to my mother and, I’m sure, all their friends. My mother and I shared many wonderful meals with the Kudesh family who, without exception, welcomed us into their homes and lives in spite of the fact that I am something of a recluse and my mother pretty much gave up entertaining after my father, Jerry, died in 1994. I don’t remember the last time we were together but we always spoke two or three times a year when I was in the States and I know how affected she was when Alice passed away. Shelly was the last of the “Great Ones” that I can recall from my parents’ generation and circle of friends and I will miss her dearly.

Thank you with all my heart for your friendship and loyalty, may you rest in eternal peace… Jamie

~J. Byron
~Friend, Chicago, IL

April 27th, 2021

Shirley was a great teacher, whose wit and candor always brought a smile, a laugh and delivered a piece of wisdom. Shirley gave my daughter her first job, dog walker. She helped teach my daughter how to drive. A guiding light and friend always.
She will Truly missed and always remembered and Loved.

~Betty
~Friend and Neighbor, Lincolnshire