Shirley (Durham) Hampton - 1939-2021

We're saddened to report that one of our Maiden/Durham relatives has passed away.  Cousin Shirley (Durham) Hampton, born and raised in Chadron, died earlier this week in Michigan.  Her obituary is included beneath the composite photograph below.

Our condolences to her husband – Chadron native Jim Hampton – and the entire Hampton family.

(More recent photo is above above at left;  

at right is Shirley's 1956 CHS class photo)

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OBITUARY for SHIRLEY HAMPTON

Shirley Anne Hampton, of Northport, Michigan, passed away Monday, November 1, 2021, at her home with family by her side. Shirley was born on March 14, 1939, in Chadron, Nebraska, the daughter of David and Mary Lee (Miller) Durham. She graduated from Chadron High School in 1957.

She married James F. Hampton who survives her. Shirley was raised in Chadron, where she met and married the love of her life, Jim, who was the cornerstone of her life. The couple moved to East Lansing, Michigan where she supported Jim as he pursued his Ph.D. at Michigan State University. Shirley worked at The College of Education, The College of Horticulture, and The College of Chemistry during the early years of their marriage. The couple moved to Midland in 1963 where they raised their three daughters.

Shirley will be remembered and missed for her selfless devotion to her family and friends, always placing others' needs ahead of her own. The world is a better place having had Shirley Hampton here. She was involved in everything from preparing meals for grieving families at Blessed Sacrament Church to volunteering at Adams Elementary School to Brownies and Girl Scouts.

Shirley served as president of the Triskelion organization of Saginaw Valley State University and their consignment shop to raise money for scholarships for students attending SVSU.

Shirley was a gifted artist who enjoyed painting beautiful landscapes of the Leelanau Peninsula. She enjoyed quilting, knitting, and doll-making. Shirley was an avid reader and a wonderful cook and hostess.

Shirley is survived by her loving husband of 63 years, James, her children Julie (Michael) Marsden of Marshall, Michigan; Jodi (Ed) Loubert of Midland, Michigan; and Robyn (Gregory) Dorrien of Midland, Michigan. Shirley is also survived by her grandchildren John Marsden of Ann Arbor, Michigan; Andrew Marsden of Kalamazoo, Michigan; Jamie Loubert of Warren, Michigan; and Hope Dorrien of Ferndale, Michigan. As a well-loved active and nurturing woman, she leaves many more friends, family, and people for whom she cared deeply.

Shirley was predeceased by her parents David and Mary Lee Durham, and a brother, Gary Durham.

Interment of ashes and a private family celebration of Shirley's life will be held at a later date.  Shirley's family would like to thank the Palliative Care Team at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City and extend a very special thank you to our Hospice of Michigan Traverse City group - Tammy, Tonya and Renee.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Hospice of Michigan (Traverse City) or Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Published by Midland Daily News on Nov. 2, 2021.

80 Years Ago Today–A New Newspaper!

The front page of "Vol. 1 - No.1" of THE EAGLET, a school newspaper produced by elementary students at the Nebraska State Normal "Prep" School in Chadron, Nebraska back in 1941.  One of the contributors was 9-year-old  Jocelyn "Jackie" Maiden, a country lass – the youngest child of Bill and Leota Maiden.

This paper, and Jackie's front-page story, are timely and significant for several reasons.  First, it was published exactly 80 years ago this week!  The world was a different place – and the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor just six weeks later was one of the most significant events in U.S. history.  December 7th, 1941 truly was a "day of infamy."

And her short story in this "first edition" of The Eaglet – along with others in the newspaper – demonstrates  a level of sensitivity and understanding about different cultures, even if some the words used might not be fully acceptable today.

In coming days, we'll add a few other stories from the paper.

Here is the text of Jackie Maiden's front-page story:

How the Indians Lived

There are different kinds of Indians.  Each kind of Indian has a different kind of house.  The forest and stream Indians live in tepees.  There is one Indian (tribe) that builds log houses.  These are the Iroquois Indians.  They are Eastern Indians.  The Navaho's build hogans which look like a bowl turned over.  They live in the southwest.

Now I will tell about their food and dishes.  Most Indians eat fish, corn, beans, squash, pumpkins, melons, potatoes and meats.  The squaws make most of the dishes.  They take stones that have been hollowed out by the water.  They use turtle shells, too.  They also make clay dishes.

We think that Indians are funny, but they have their ways and we have ours.

                                                                                – Jocelyn Maiden

We think the last paragraph is perhaps the most telling.  It is a recognition and suggested acceptance of the fact that we may have lots of different cultures – and that "they have their ways and we have ours."

That's a pretty incisive perception for a nine-year-old girl.  That's a very young Jackie Maiden at left.   She always was a smart cookie – and cute!