Shirley Bernstein

February 2, 1933 - December 26, 2025

Shirley Bernstein passed away at home with family by her side on December 26, 2025. Born in Baltimore, Maryland to Isadore and Sarah Guralnick, Shirley was the youngest of six children.

Shirley attended the University of Maryland School of Nursing from 1950 to 1953, where she was awarded a three-year diploma in nursing. When her children were grown, she returned to college to further her career in nursing. She attended Eastern University, Philadelphia, where she received a Bachelor of Science in nursing, and Villanova University, Villanova, PA, where she earned a Master of Science in nursing administration.

Shirley worked in many areas of nursing throughout her life. She taught acute care nursing at the Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation Center, Malvern, PA, before moving to Boulder, Colorado in 1990 where she continued her nursing career.

Shirley was pragmatic, down to earth, extremely organized, and fiercely devoted to her children and husband. She loved reading historical novels and biographies of American presidents, keeping up with world events, oil painting, sewing, and garage sales. She will be remembered for her curiosity, her sense of humor, and her laugh.

Shirley and her life partner of 59 years, Art Bernstein, met in Baltimore and married on April 29,1956. Art passed away on September 5, 2015. Shirley was preceded in death by her son James, and survived by three daughters: Laurel Bender (Alan), Barbara Adde (Nick), and Marissa Bernstein (Ken Fujimori); and five grandchildren (Joseph, Julia, Ella, Max, and Benjamin).

A memorial service will be held Thursday, January 8th, at 7pm, at Congregation Har HaShem, 3950 Baseline Road, Boulder, CO 80303. It will also be streamed here. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to Har HaShem or the organization of your choice.