- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Erie Today
By the People, for the People
Beloved Erie Resident Shirley Anne Cleland Dies at 91
Cleland was a longtime church organist, painter, and devoted family matriarch.
Published on Feb. 8, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
Shirley Anne Cleland, a longtime resident of Erie, Colorado, passed away on December 28, 2025 at the age of 91. Cleland was known for her lifelong passion for music, serving as the organist at the First Baptist Church of Lafayette for over 50 years, as well as her talent as a painter. She was also a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who was deeply involved in the Erie community.
Why it matters
Cleland's passing marks the end of an era for the Erie community, where she was a fixture for decades through her church involvement, community leadership, and artistic pursuits. Her story reflects the changing nature of small-town America and the importance of community-oriented institutions like local churches.
The details
Cleland was born in 1934 in rural Macomb, Illinois and later married her high school sweetheart, John Cleland, in 1955. The couple relocated to San Diego and then Aurora, Colorado before settling in Erie in 1964 to start a dairy farm. Shirley worked as a secretary to support the family in the early years before devoting herself full-time to her children and community involvement. In addition to her musical talents, Cleland was also an accomplished painter who spent her spare time creating artwork that now hangs in the homes of family and friends.
- Shirley Anne Cleland was born on December 9, 1934 in Macomb, Illinois.
- Cleland married John Cleland on October 29, 1955 and the couple relocated to Colorado.
- In 1964, the Clelands purchased an 80-acre farm in Erie, Colorado with 12 Holstein cows.
- Cleland passed away on December 28, 2025 at the age of 91.
- A celebration of life is planned for Shirley in the spring of 2026.
The players
Shirley Anne Cleland
A longtime resident of Erie, Colorado who was known for her lifelong passion for music, serving as the organist at the First Baptist Church of Lafayette for over 50 years, as well as her talent as a painter. She was also a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who was deeply involved in the Erie community.
John Cleland
Shirley's husband, who was an engineer with Boeing. The couple relocated to Colorado and started a dairy farm in Erie in 1964.
Gary Lee Cleland
Shirley and John's son.
Kay Lynn Cleland Dersham
Shirley and John's daughter.
Linda Michelle Cleland
Shirley and John's daughter, who passed away before Shirley.
What’s next
A celebration of life is planned to honor Shirley in the spring of 2026, her favorite time of year. She will be laid to rest next to her husband John in a private family ceremony.
The takeaway
Shirley Cleland's life exemplified the importance of community involvement, faith, and family. Her decades of service as a church organist and her passion for the arts left a lasting impact on the Erie community, underscoring the value of small-town institutions and traditions.
