Shirley Mae Boyles

Shirley Mae (Woollard) Boyles, 93, of Topeka, passed away on June 11, 2025 at Lexington Park Assisted Living. She was born on November 13, 1931 to Lucky Albert and Mabel (Warren) Woollard in Topeka, Kansas and was the last remaining member of her family. Shirley married Elmer Dean Boyles on August 4, 1950 at East Topeka Methodist Church. Dean preceded her in death on May 22, 2024, two months after they moved to assisted living at Lexington Park.

Shirley was a loving mother to four young boys, staying at home with them for several years. When the youngest, Mike, was born, she had one-year-old twins, David and Dennis, along with two-year-old Stephen. During those early childhood years, Shirley and Dean lived in a small, two bedroom house on Michigan, one of their four brand new homes they had the privilege to purchase in their lifetime in Topeka.

Once the boys were old enough, Shirley was able to work outside the home. She was first employed by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas, followed by employment with Dustin’s at White Lakes Mall. Once the Red Door boutique opened, Shirley was selected as its manager with opportunities to travel on buying trips. Shirley was also the manager at Etc. Dress Shop in Holiday Square.

In the 90s, Shirley and Dean purchased and ran Fluer de Lys, the gift shop at the Holidome in Topeka. She truly thrived selecting and selling items from the shop to her patrons. After losing the lease for the shop, Shirley worked at both Atria Hearthstone and the Shawnee County Treasurer’s Office.

Shirley started playing the piano at age five and became an accomplished pianist. She was the pianist at St. Peter’s United Methodist Church for years, as well as being a charter and closing member of that church. She played many beautiful duets with the organist. Shirley also enjoyed several hobbies, including knitting, crocheting, and crafting. She made baby blankets for all of her grandchildren. With a growing family of athletes, Shirley was not the most sports minded person, but did enjoy bowling in a league with her friends. At her only attempt to golf, Shirley complained to Dean that she ran out of tees too soon. It was later discovered that she was teeing up every ball she hit!

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, her identical twin sister who died at birth, her brothers Warren, Wayne and Kenneth Woollard, her sisters, June Frickey Dockery and Betty Whitehead, and her half-sister Marie Goff.

Shirley is survived by her four sons, the pride and joy of her life, and their families: Stephen (Mary) Boyles, Topeka; David (Toni) Boyles, Topeka; Dennis (Cindy) Boyles, Berryton; and Michael (Stacey) Boyles, Topeka. She was an involved grandmother to her eight grandchildren, welcoming their spouses to the family: Bradley (Melissa) Boyles, Gladstone, MO; Barry (Thera) Boyles, Topeka; Tiffany (Pepe) Miranda, Topeka; Jay (Mindee) Boyles, Tecumseh; Dean (Jennifer) Boyles, Gardner; Mitch (Genni) Boyles, Marion, IL; Dani (Ryan) Hockman, Fort Worth, TX; Beau (Brittany) Boyles, Hutchinson. She was happy when the family expanded by the addition of great grandchildren Brooks Boyles; Kason and Owen Boyles; Drew and Bristol Boyles; Parker Metz; Hank and Winnie Hockman; and Milo Tesar; as well as bonus great grandchildren Tanner Goldberg; Jack and Gen Miranda; and London and Sophia Hollis. Shirley is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Croix Hospice, 2231 SW Wanamaker Rd., Suite 202, Topeka, KS 66614.

Per their wishes, there will be no formal service; however, if you wish to share memories and stories of Shirley and Elmer Dean Boyles, the family will greet people between 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 6, 2025 at The Foundry, 400 SW 33rd Street, Topeka, Kansas.

To share a memory of Shirley or leave a special message for her family, visit the guest book below.