Shirley Timmreck

May 28, 1920-Oct. 15, 2018

Shirley Timmreck, 98, died Oct. 15, 2018, at her home in Homer, Alaska.

Shirley was born in Donaldsonville, Louisiana, on May 28, 1920, to Ulysses and Emily Rodriguez. She was raised in New Orleans, where she met her husband Irvin (Tim) Timmreck. She and Tim proceeded to raise a family of three sons and a daughter.

Shirley’s successful art career began at Newcomb College and continued for many decades, including positions as a teacher of art at St. Martin’s Episcopal School. Her painting styles ranged from realism to abstraction, as her media varied widely across watercolor, oil, collage, and monotype.

Upon Tim’s retirement, Shirley and Tim moved to Homer, Alaska, in 1981. On her first visit, upon driving over the crest of the hill entering Homer, Shirley knew that “This was it!” That decision led to the building of a log house, whose marvelous view of Kachemak Bay she enjoyed for nearly four decades.

The stimulating environment of Homer led Shirley to expand her artistic repertoire further, as she became a successful playwright, with several of her plays produced at Pier One Theatre, including “First Friday,” “The Boy Who Could Fly,” and “Tulane and Telemachus.” Her play “Louisa” also accomplished a run in Boston. Her friends fondly recall her comedic “When the Poppies Are in Bloom in Hidden Hills.” The contributions of Homer to her quality of life — the atmosphere, the hospitality, the many fast friends, the artistic inspiration — cannot be overstated.

Shirley was preceded in death by Tim, who passed away in Homer in 2001 at age 90. She is survived by her sons, Eric, Roy, and Ken Timmreck, and her daughter, Kim Frey. She is also survived by nine grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at a later time. Donations in lieu of flowers may be sent to Pier One Theatre, 332 E Pioneer Ave #3, Homer, AK 99603.