Shirley Anna Chipperfield

Shirley Anna Chipperfield, 85, of Dubuque, Iowa, passed away on March 5, 2026, at Harmony of Dubuque.

Complete arrangements are pending for a celebration of Shirley’s life at a later date. Burial will be at a later date in Beach Memorial Park, Atlantic Beach, Florida, with her husband Andrew. Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road, is assisting the family.

Shirley was born August 2, 1940, in Lester, PA, the daughter of Ferdinand and Ilda (Eppler) Causse. She graduated from Ridley Park High School in Folsom, Pennsylvania in 1958. In 1959, she graduated from Goldey-Beacom School of Business in Wilmington, DE, completing the stenographic course. After graduation, she worked as a secretary in Philadelphia.

She met Andrew James Chipperfield at a USO dance in Philadelphia. Shirley and Andrew married on October 8, 1960, at Tinicum Memorial Lutheran Church in Essington, Pennsylvania. After marriage they lived in Philadelphia until Andrew’s military service took them to Florida in the early 1960s. When Andrew was transferred to Mayport Naval Station in Florida, she worked for Stockton, Whatley, Davin & Co. in Jacksonville, FL, until 1969, when she became a parent and full-time home maker.

After Andrew completed his service in the United States Navy, they settled in Jacksonville Beach in 1969, where they raised their family together. When Andrew passed away in 1984, Shirley supported her family making crafts to sell at shows and running a small cake decorating business out of her kitchen. After her children were grown, she returned to full-time work as an office manager and administrative assistant at a local business. After retiring in 2016, she moved to Iowa to be closer to her daughter and grandchildren. She also worked at the front desk at Sunny Crest Manor until 2021.

Shirley was an active member of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church serving as a council member for several terms as well as being a member of Women of the ELCA. She was a member of the Sandy Crafters of Jacksonville Beach. Shirley was an active member of her church community, and her faith was central to her life.

She had a creative spirit and always had a project going (sewing, crocheting or crafting) or could be found gardening in her “spare” time. Shirley was full of life and embraced every moment to find joy. She put on records and danced in the living room, learned to roller-skate in her 40s and camped in the rain so she could be present with her kids. She always knew the answers to questions like how much does a hamster weigh? And what time does the post office lobby close?

Shirley is survived by her children, Kathleen (Jim) Stuart and Andrew (Sherie) Chipperfield; grandchildren, Anna Kay (Zach) Barry, CJ Stuart, and Cecilia Chipperfield; along with many loving nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Andrew James Chipperfield; her parents Ferdinand and Ilda Causse; and her brother Ronald Causse.

The family would like to express a special thank you to the care teams at Harmony of Dubuque, Hospice of Dubuque Palliative Care, and Hospice Above and Beyond for their exceptional care of her.

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