Shirley Mae Duncan

Shirley Mae Duncan, 95, of St. George, Utah, passed away April, 14, 2025. Shirley was born March 4, 1930 to Lloyd and Florence (Adams) Wagnitz in Missoula, MT.

She graduated from Missoula County High School in 1948. Shirley married Richard (Dick) Duncan on January 8, 1949. The couple made their home in Missoula until 1960 when they moved to Seeley Lake, MT. to manage the Seeley Lake Mercantile. Shirley often referred to this period as one of the best times of her life. In addition to her store duties, she also took care of the community telephone switchboard. She was responsible for connecting calls to the two sawmills in town and took phone messages for the residents until residential services were established in the early 1960’s. Shirley and Dick returned to Missoula in 1965 enabling Dick to advance his career in the grocery business. Later Shirley and Dick returned to Seeley Lake where they founded and built the Valley Market which they operated until 1993 when they sold the business and retired. During retirement she enjoyed their home on the Double Arrow in Seeley Lake as well as their winter home in Chandler AZ. Several years later they sold both homes and transitioned to assisted living in Missoula. After Dick’s passing, Shirley moved to St George, UT to be close to her son Jim and his wife Julie.

Shirley was an avid reader of biographies, enjoyed cooking and dancing with Dick. She enjoyed going out for lunch, she loved cheeseburgers, coconut shrimp, and anything chocolate.

Shirley is preceded in death by her husband, parents, and her brother, Bob Wagnitz. She leaves behind her son Jim (Julie) of St George, UT; two granddaughters, Ashley (Steve) Spear of Lake Stevens, WA; and Lindsey (Nick) Duncan of Issaquah, WA; two step grandsons, Patrick (Jenn) Jass of Brooklyn NY; and Peter (Mandy) Jass of Draper UT; as well as 12 great grandchildren, three nieces Ann (Punki) Bullis (Terry) of Hardin MT, Barbara Schnase (John) of Ronan MT, Sharon Ding of Seeley Lake MT, and one nephew Jeff (Shelley) Wagnitz of Olympia WA.

In lieu of flowers a donation to the Seeley Lake Foundation in Shirley’s memory will be appreciated.