Shirley Rose Tilford

Shirley Rose Tilford (nee Gatts) also known as Mama Bear. Born February 23, 1932 to Viola and Howard Gatts of St. Bernard. Shirley resided at The Anderson Nursing Home for the last few years of her life

On Good Friday March 29, 2024 at 12 noon, she took her final breath with her daughter and granddaughter by her side. She went into the open arms of Jesus where she so longed to be, and joined those who passed before her.

In 1977 a family friend gave Mom the nickname of Mama Bear and she carried that name with her throughout her life.

For roughly 28 yrs she had what she called "Mama Bear's Free Store" She collected donations from everywhere, then gave them out to families that needed them. Anything from clothing, furniture, baby supplies, you name it if she had it and you needed it, she gave it to you. She was a longtime member of Oakley Baptist Church where she used a small room in the basement to do this, until it grew so large that she needed bigger space and moved on.

Due to her years of kindness and helping others, a church member nominated her for the WKRC 12 community service award in 1996. Mama Bear won the Jefferson award - she and her husband Virgil Tilford went to Washington DC where she accepted her award of a bronze medallion featuring a replica of the seal of the US signed by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Senator Robert Taft Jr.

While residing at The Anderson Nursing Home she loved playing Bingo, Arts/crafts, reading, puzzle books, watching the cardinals outside her bedroom window, and socializing with everyone. A special Thank you to The Anderson Nursing Home staff for all you did for our Mom. A very special thank you to HarmonyCares Hospice - Nicky, Amanda, Todd & Sheehan for all of your love & support for our mom especially in her final days.

Shirley is gone from us physically but will always be in our hearts. Until we meet again, she has left behind her three children Robyn (Joe) Ryan, John (Leslie) Shaw & Debbie Shaw. And her wonderful "Baby Brother" Harold Gatts. She is preceded in death by her husband Virgil Tilford, and son Daryl Shaw.

Shirley was a grandmother of 10 and great grandmother of 24. She was a member of Hyde Park Bethlehem United Methodist Church.

Visitation: Friday, April 5th, from 11 am until 12 noon Tredway Funeral Home, 2131 Cameron Ave., Norwood, OH 45212

Funeral service: Friday, April 5th at 12 noon

Burial:

Oak Hill Cemetery

11200 Princeton Pike

Glendale, Ohio 45246

1:30pm

In lieu of flowers - donations to HarmonyCares Hospice

4435 Aicholtz rd Suite 400

Cincinnati, Ohio 45245

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