Mrs. Shirley Mae Pendergraft

Went to heaven on April 6, 2014, shortly after midnight, peacefully in her sleep at her home in Carpinteria, California, at age 88. She was born Shirley Mae Ofstie on Jan. 7, 1926, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Arthur Orvis Ofstie of Norway and Gladys McCoy Ofstie, the youngest of 3 children. She grew up swimming, spending summers at Lake Minnetonka and ice skating in the winters, even winning speed skating awards. Shirley attended the University of Minnesota Nursing Program in the Army Cadet Nurse Corps during World War II. The war ended before she could serve overseas, so she decided to join American Airlines as a flight attendant, flying out of New York City for several years, and then Fort Worth, Texas. It was here, through friends, that she met a dashing young Air Force pilot, Wesley Lael Pendergraft. It was love at first sight! They were married in 1947 and had three children. The family moved around the country, due to her husband being transferred many times, as he advanced to the rank of Brigadier General. She loved being an officer's wife and met the many challenges with gusto and enthusiasm. Shirley's husband Wes died on active duty at the age of 46. Then she moved her family back to Georgia where her sons were attending Georgia Tech in Atlanta. While living in middle Georgia, she received a degree in Interior Design, and got a job with Shaheen Office Supply as an interior designer. She designed offices throughout the area and loved it. She continued her studies at Mercer University and Macon Junior College. In 1977, Shirley and her daughter moved to Santa Barbara, California, where Shirley re-entered the medical field, working at Saint Francis Hospital for many years in the Admissions Department. Next, she worked for Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura, in the Emergency Room. All the while she was continuing her education at night, receiving an Associate of Arts Degree in Business from Santa Barbara City College, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Health Care Management from the University of LaVerne, and finally a Masters Degree in Psychology at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Shirley loved to travel her entire life and went to Europe, Hawaii, Morocco, the Virgin Isles, the Holy Land, Norway, and on many other adventures. She also led travel groups in the "Our Gang" travel club of Santa Barbara Bank and Trust. It was on one of these adventures that she met Claud Hardesty, who would later become her second husband. Shirley was active in many clubs and church activities, including the "Kiwi Club", for former American Airline flight attendants; the American Business Women's Association, going to many conventions with her daughter; the Retired Officer's Wives Association; her book club "Inklings"; and many others. Shirley was known and loved by many and was a wonderful mom, aunt, grandmother and great grandmother. Her beautiful smile could light up a room. She will be missed terribly. Shirley is survived by her son Timothy Scott Pendergraft; her daughter Terri Lee Pendergraft Christie; her son-in-law Joe Christie; and her daughters-in-law Marsi Bellamy and Lynda Pendergraft; grandchildren Garrett Pendergraft and Taralah Williams; and great grandchildren Sage, Curran, and Cardiff Pendergraft; and her nephew Bob Ofstie and niece Patty Higgins; as well as many cousins and in-laws. Shirley was preceded in death by her son, Gary Brian Pendergraft, a minister; and her second husband Claud Hardesty. Interment was at Arlington National Cemetery, beside her first husband Brigadier General Wesley L. Pendergraft. The memorial service for Shirley will be in Santa Barbara at the Free Methodist Church, 1435 Cliff Drive, on July 26 at 2 PM. Please come share your memories of Shirley with us.

Mrs. Shirley Mae Pendergraft

January 26, 1926 - April 6, 2014