In Memoriam
Shirley
Shirley McClurg Loper, Lead Librarian, 1969–1995
Shirley McClurg Loper passed away peacefully on Monday, February 10, 2020 surrounded by family, friends, stories, and music. Her sons Matthew and William, held a memorial at The Bush School campus this August.
Remembered by students for her dramatic telling of classic stories, Shirley built one of the most up-to-date, comprehensive library collections among independent schools. Under her leadership, the print materials collections at Bush nearly doubled. Shirley took great pleasure in reading to the children at The Bush School, inspiring so many of her students. One of her favorite quotes was from Thomas Jefferson: “I cannot live without books,” an expression she had engraved into a plaque for the library.
Upon retiring from Bush, Shirley assumed a leadership role at the Seattle Art Museum (SAM), where she became chair of the Volunteer Association. Devoted to SAM for over twenty years, she was awarded the Dorothy Malone Award as outstanding volunteer.
She was an avid gardener, a voracious reader, a world traveler, and a loving grandmother with a truly insatiable appetite for knowledge. Shirley loved traveling the world—her explorations included the Great Wall of China, the ancient amphitheaters of Greece, the grand palaces of Russia, and many other international locales. She loved animals and was a talented singer.
Shirley’s family has requested that donations in her honor be made to The Bush School Scholarship Fund at www.bush.edu/give-now.
The Bush School is an independent, coeducational day school located in Seattle, WA enrolling 715 students in grades K–12. The mission of The Bush School is to spark in students of diverse backgrounds and talents a passion for learning, accomplishment, and contribution to their communities.
3400 East Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98112 (206) 322-7978
The Bush School does not discriminate in matters of employment, recruitment, admissions, or administration of any of its programs on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin, disability, gender, or sexual orientation. In addition, The Bush School does not discriminate in matters of employment on the basis of age or marital status.