Shirley J. Baum of Clark died at the age of 101, on September 29, 2024 at home surrounded by her loving family.

Shirley was born and raised in Elizabeth, NJ, where she graduated from Batton High School at the age of sixteen. She then attended Union County Junior College in Roselle for one year and then studied for one year at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio.

During World War II, Shirley learned to be a draftsman in the Signal Corp of Engineering at Fort Monmouth, NJ. After the war, she lived in Hawaii and worked as the only engineering draftswoman at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard. An independent young woman, she traveled with her best friend throughout Europe in the 1950s.

In 1955, Shirley married Bernard J. Baum in Elizabeth. The couple moved to Clark in 1958. After her husband died in 1977, she worked for Eastern Airlines for ten years, which gave her the opportunity to continue her traveling experiences. Shirley traveled extensively though the United States, Europe and Asia.

Shirley also enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, going to the Jersey Shore, reading, and telling stories of all her travels. She had a lively mind and she especially liked Journalism. She had a great wit and sense of humor and would write personalized birthday cards for family and friends. Everyone got a chuckle and enjoyed. She was also probably the first woman in Clark to own a Wok.

Shirley was predeceased by her husband, Bernard J. Baum. She is survived by her devoted daughter Ardis Durant (Carl) and two loving grandchildren, Brett Durant and Alison Durant. She also will be missed by many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, Betty and Harry Olim, and by three brothers, Milton, Herman, and Bernard Olim.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend a Graveside Service on Wednesday, October 2 at 11 am in Mount Lebanon Cemetery, 189 Gill Lane, Iselin, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Shirley J. Baum to the Clark Volunteer Emergency Squad, 875 Raritan Road Clark, New Jersey 07066.