Shirley Piazza
Shirley Doris Piazza, beloved mother and grandmother, passed peacefully in her home of 63 years; surrounded by her family on the 20th day of October, 2025. Her life will be celebrated with a rosary service at 5:00 p.m. at Messinger’s Mortuary. A Funeral Mass in her honor will be held Saturday at 10:00 a.m. at Saint Daniel the Prophet in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Shirley was born in Windsor, Ontario, Canada on January 19, 1932. She was the second daughter of Russell and Eleanor St. Louis. Although Shirley grew up very poor, her stories of childhood are filled with love and wild antics. She loved her four sisters and brother. She cherished her job as a telephone operator at the fanciest hotel in Windsor. Shirley claimed her biggest life regret was not eavesdropping on Cary Grant’s calls when he stayed.
She met the love her life, Paul Piazza at the age of 16. Paul and Shirley started their life together, living in the basement of a bootlegger’s home. They soon began to welcome the first of their six children. The family moved to Waterford, Michigan where Shirley described her days on the lake as some of the happiest of her life.
They eventually made the move to sunny Scottsdale, Arizona. Paul and Shirley filled their days with baseball, friends, and hosting parties. Paul and Shirley made a yearly trip to Mission Beach with the six kids with many friends often tagging along. They established Piazza Upholstery in 1963. Shirley continued to be involved with the operations of the business, always happy to help on a delivery or a fabric run until her last days.
Shirley was adored by her grandchildren. Through the years, they all enjoyed vacations with her, epic pool parties at her home, eating her famous salsa with stale chips, and occasionally getting screamed at for leaving the back door open. Many grandchildren moved in with her, and were subsequently kicked right out.
In her later years, Shirley enjoyed traveling the world. Her travels took her to China, Europe, Egypt, and fishing for piranhas down the Amazon. Her favorite city was always New York, New York.
She kept a full social calendar with her friends. Shirley played golf until her late 80s, was a member of multiple bridge groups and book clubs. Anytime she got the “itchy finger,” she would race to the casino to put $20 in the machines. Shirley loved sneaking into double features at the movies with anyone who could spare six hours. Shirley rarely turned down an invitation, especially if there was a Bud Light involved.
Shirley was very proud to be an American and received her citizenship in 2005. She loved studying for the exam, since she had lived through most of the history. Shirley was chosen to speak at her swearing in and announced she felt like “a queen”. Shirley did not graduate high school, but managed to attend typing and ice skating courses at Scottsdale Community College.
As a devout Catholic, Shirley’s faith held a significant role in her life. She prayed the rosary daily and attended mass almost every Sunday. Shirley valued her volunteer work; cleaning the church pews after mass. She was quick to introduce her favorite priest to anyone joining mass with her.
Shirley is finally reunited with her love, Paul, hopefully drinking a Bud Light on the boardwalk in Mission Beach, waiting on the green flash. She will be greatly missed and forever cherished by all that knew her.
Shirley is survived by her children Paula Bandura (James), Susan Daroff, Gina Shelley (Michael), Dino Piazza (Jane), Anthony Piazza (Lisa) and Angela Upshaw (Darin), 27 grandchildren and 44 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, son in law, Louis Daroff, her sister, June Mitchell and her brother, Chuck St. Louis.
The family would like to thank her granddaughter, Sophie Nagy, and Faith Hospice for providing such gentle care that allowed Shirley to stay in her home until her passing.