Shirley A. McCormack

Shell attended school at Lapwai High School and graduated with the class of 1964. Shortly after, she attended Job Corps in Clinton, Iowa, and then business school in San Diego. Later, she returned home to Idaho, where she started working for the Nez Perce Tribe as a clerk for the Community Action Program. Shell worked in various programs for the tribe as an outreach worker for the Well Mother Baby Program, receptionist, and was famously known for her time as the Pi Nee Waus Community Building director from March 1979 to February 1991.

In 1991, she moved to Portland, Ore., and was then hired by the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (CRITFC) as the receptionist, central service coordinator, before being promoted to the administrative assistant for the executive director ('91-'94). She returned home in 1994 and went to work for the tribe as a Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee support staff. After retiring in 2010, she was elected to serve on the senior advisory board for the Nez Perce Tribe before resigning because of health complications. She was an avid elder advocate and did whatever she could to assist them.

But it was working as the Community Center director she enjoyed the most. You could find her coaching T-ball, softball, soccer and basketball. You name it, and she was volunteering. She required her teams to practice frequently and do their best, always. After games, you could find her and the team celebrating at Arctic Circle; she would never let kids go without. Her love for kids was unmatched.

Her hobbies included playing bingo, going to the movies, doing puzzles, traveling, spending time with family and attending family sporting events.

Shell is survived by her children, Lori Johnson (Vernie), Mary Sharon Taylor (Mike Bisbee Sr.), Michael Charles Taylor (Melissa Peko), and Sunae Kay Reuben; grandchildren Ronnie "Sonny" and Vada Johnson, Harry L.C. Taylor, Michaela, Taleesha, Mikaele Taylor, Vincent "Buda" Peko, Lena and Cynthia Peko Canas, Toni Eneas, Arika Rueben, Laila and Mariah Bisbee; great-grandkids Lolesia Peko and Noah (Peko Canas) Walker; sisters Loretta "Chet" Halfmoon (Ron) and Geraldine "Geri" Jackson; brothers Joseph "Esky" McCormack (Marge), and Jim McCormack; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; maternal grandparents Sam Ellenwood and Mary Lucy (Wilson) Ellenwood; paternal grandparents Joseph and Annie (Grant) McCormack; brothers Robert "Hood," Mickey, Rudy, Melvin and Arnold McCormack; sisters Veronica "Mae" (McCormack) Taylor and Vera Ann (McCormack) Tuell; and grandson Lole Peko.

There will be a memorial service held at 6:30 p.m. today at the Pi Nee Waus Community Center in Lapwai. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Pi Nee Waus Community Center. Burial will follow at Grant cemetery. Dinner will follow.