Shirley M. Foti, beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at Laramie House in Vacaville, following a recent decline in health. Just weeks earlier, family and friends gathered to celebrate her 90th birthday—where she was, as always, radiant and beautiful.
Shirley was born on July 27, 1935, in Berlin, Wisconsin to John and Elsie Timm, who ran a successful dairy farm in the tiny hamlet of Auroraville. She grew up in a close-knit family alongside her brothers Ruben and Edgar and sisters Violet and Elaine in a classic clapboard farmhouse just across the lane from a small, white-steepled Lutheran church. Named after Shirley Temple, the curly-haired, blue-eyed child embodied the same charm and musical talent. She took piano lessons from a local nun and, in time, became the organist at the church next door.
In 1952, Shirley married Bob Burris, an airman, after meeting at a local dance ignited a whirlwind romance. They were soon stationed across several states—including Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana—and welcomed four children in quick succession. In 1959, the family moved to Harmon AFB in Newfoundland, where Shirley began working as a cashier at the base exchange. This marked the start of a long career in financial services, which continued until she was 85 years old.
Following the Newfoundland assignment, the family settled in Bellevue, Nebraska, where Shirley worked at the Offutt AFB exchange. In 1965, they moved to Vacaville when her then-husband was transferred to Travis AFB. That same year, she joined Travis Federal Credit Union as a teller and steadily advanced to become branch manager of the Fairfield office. It was there that she met Joe Foti, a frequent depositor whose true aim was to win the heart of the newly single Shirley. He succeeded but it took a few years, and the two were married in 1980.
Shirley and Joe became well-known in old-town Vacaville and especially within the St. Mary’s Catholic Church community. Shirley served as the regular cantor at the 9:00 a.m. Mass, and Joe was a devoted usher. Their dedication to their faith and community spanning over forty years was widely recognized and deeply felt.
Shirley retired from banking in the 1987, shortly after she and Joe were kidnapped from their home at gunpoint during a robbery of the credit union. Though they were unharmed, the experience marked a turning point. Retirement, however, did not slow Shirley down. She poured her energy into volunteer work—first with the Red Cross at David Grant Medical Center and later at St. Mary’s Church. There, she worked in the rectory processing weekly offerings and eventually served as finance director. She was instrumental in a successful fundraising campaign to retrofit and modernize the church.
An impeccable homemaker, Shirley had a deep appreciation for beautiful things, which she showcased in her lovingly kept home. She especially adored the holiday season and took great pride in her elaborate Christmas decorations each year. A lover of vibrant plants, she cultivated lush patio gardens annually. Music remained her lifelong passion, and her many years of singing at St. Mary’s were among her most treasured memories—Sunday mornings were her favorite time of the week.
Shirley was also a devoted cat person. Her home was rarely without the pitter patter of tiny paws, and when she moved into an assisted living apartment, she was joined by her daughter’s cat Bear—a Burmese/Singapura mix she affectionately renamed “Lil' Gurl.” The two were inseparable until Shirley moved to Laramie House last year.
In addition to her parents and siblings, Shirley was preceded in death by her beloved husband of nearly 40 years, Joseph “Joe” Foti, son, Robert “Bobby” Burris, Jr., and great granddaughter, Brooke Burris.
She is survived by her daughters:
• Liza Tapia Vaughan (Bob) of Rio Vista
• Kelly Alexander (Greg) of Flemingsburg, KY
• Terri Monson (Ken) of Vacaville
She also leaves behind her grandchildren:
Collin Tapia, Ashley Vinyard, Aaron Burris, Ryan Burris, Jack Alexander, August Alexander, Van Monson, and Amberley Cox—as well as many great-grandchildren.
She is also survived by stepchildren Randall Foti and Catherine Cox.
Shirley’s legacy of warmth, generosity, and song lives on in all who knew her. She will be deeply missed by her family, her many dear friends, and the entire St. Mary’s Church community, where she faithfully served for so many years.
A Mass of the Resurrection will be held Thursday, September 11th, 10:00 AM at St. Mary’s Church. Private burial at the Vacaville Elmira Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to a charity of your choice in Shirley's memory.
