Shirl Oliphant
Photos & Memories
Obituary
Shirl OliphantApril 13, 1935—October 24, 2026
Shirl Oliphant, 91, passed away on October 24, 2026, at Washington Hospital.
Born Ann Shirley Portillo on April 13, 1935 in Oakland, California she lived all of her life in Alameda County. Shirl grew up in San Leandro and graduated from Hayward High School in 1953. In 1954 she married the love of her life Ron Oliphant and they were married for 71 years. In 1955 they moved to Newark and then settled in Fremont, where they spent more than 50 years surrounded by family and friends.
Shirl was married at 19, became a mother at 22, a Nana at 45 and a Great Nana at 79. Both she and Ron were only children. She was proud to have 6 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.
Shirl was a life long volunteer. A proud Candlelighter for 55 years and a member of the Washington Health Foundation since the 1980s. She was a PTA President, a Little League Auxiliary President and even chaired the Ohlone Ball. She was the kind of volunteer that did it all and always by her side was her beloved Ron.
Shirl is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Cathy and Rob Avon; her son and daughter-in-law, Jeff and Karen Oliphant; her grandchildren and great grandchildren; Brian (Krista) Avon, Oliver and Evelynn Avon; Jenny (Bernardo) Telles, Natalie and Leo Telles; Sean (Mandi) Oliphant, Mason, Maddox and Emry Oliphant; Becky (Harinder) Taunque; Renee (Luke) Jochem, Teagan; and Beth Avon.
A funeral service will be held on Friday November 6, 2026 at 10am at Chapel of the Angles in Fremont, California, followed by a burial at Holy Sepulchre Catholic Cemetery in Hayward, California.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in her name to: The Washington Health Foundation, 2500 Mowry Ave., Fremont, CA 94538 Or to: Candle Lighters, PO Box 174,Fremont, CA 94537
Guestbook
She was one of the most accomplished woman I have ever known.
She was first a great wife to Ron and a fabulous mother and grandmother.
She also contributed so much time to the community in Washington Hospital as a volunteer and the Candle Lighters.
We met in Candle Lighters and later worked together in The Empty Nest. It was there working shifts together that she taught me so much about being a mom and grandmother mother. She had so many wonderful activities that she planned for her family, grandkids and great grandkids. I would go home and do the same things with mine. She was a fabulous role model.
She will always have a special part in my life and memories. I love and loved her dearly and will miss not being able to call but do know although the world has lost a wonderful lady it is heavens gain❣️my love to her family, Ellen Snell”