Shirley Mae Waterway

On July 17, 2026, Shirley Waterway, age 97, was called home to heaven by the Savior she faithfully served throughout her life. Shirley was one of five children born to Faye and William Ash in Graafschap, Michigan. She graduated from Holland Christian High School and married Bernard Waterway in 1948. Together they were blessed with seven children: Brian (Jeanne) Waterway, Gayle (Bob) Holwerda, Sally (Rev. Frank) Wevers, Linda (Dr. James) Olthoff, Jane (Brian) Lemmen, Jack (Jennifer) Waterway, and Joan (Tom) Genzink. For 77 years, Shirley was a faithful member of Harderwyk Christian Reformed Church, where she served in many capacities. She made history as Harderwyk's first woman elder, reflecting both her deep faith and her willingness to serve wherever God called her. Shirley believed that her faith in Jesus Christ should permeate every aspect of life. Anyone who spent time with her quickly recognized that she loved and faithfully followed Jesus. Throughout her lifetime, she led dozens of people to faith in Christ. To know Shirley was to see the love of Jesus reflected in everyday life. She sought to proclaim Christ's love in every circumstance, often without saying a word. That same Christ-centered outlook shaped every job she held. As a Meijer store detective, this gentle grandmother surprised many shoplifters with both her courage and her compassion. She treated every person she encountered with dignity, respect, and grace, regardless of the situation. Shirley had a lifelong hunger to know God's Word more deeply. Whether through Bethel Bible Study, Bible Study Fellowship, or countless other Bible studies, she devoted herself to Scripture, spending hours reading, studying, and praying. She viewed the world through the lens of God's Word and encouraged her family to do the same. One of Shirley's greatest passions was sharing the hope of the gospel. She faithfully mentored several prisoners, writing countless letters to encourage them and teach them about Jesus Christ. Telling others about her Savior was one of her greatest joys. Shirley sought to instill a deep commitment to follow Jesus Christ in her children, and she continued that legacy with her 22 grandchildren, 47 great-grandchildren, and, most recently, her three great-great-grandchildren. She spent countless hours in prayer, faithfully lifting each generation of her family before the Lord. Shirley found her comfort in the words of the Heidelberg Catechism: that her only comfort in life and in death was that she was not her own, but belonged-body and soul, in life and in death-to her faithful Savior, Jesus Christ. Her greatest desire was that every one of her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, and every member of her extended family would come to know the life-giving and life-changing love of Jesus Christ. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at Langeland-Sterenberg Funeral Home, 315 E 16th St., Holland. The memorial service will be held at 12:00 noon on Monday, July 20, 2026, at Harderwyk Ministries, 1627 W Lakewood Blvd., Holland. The service will be officiated by Pastors Mary DeWitt and Rev. Bill Lindner. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in memory of Shirley Waterway to Christy and Zach Yoder through Wycliffe Bible Translators (wycliffe.org) or Neighbors Plus (neighborsplus.org).

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Shirley Mae Waterway

April 15, 1929 - July 17, 2026