Shirley Claire Oheim Aulbach

Shirley Claire Oheim Aulbach, beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully in New Hampshire. Born on October 27, 1935, in Amarillo, Texas, to Charles Delmar and Elizabeth Ruth Oheim, Shirley grew up in Amarillo and graduated from Amarillo High School. Soon after, she married George F. Aulbach, Jr., and together they embarked on a life of service to their country as George served in the U.S. Air Force Air Training Command.

Shirley and George’s journey took them to various bases across Texas, then to Hawaii, before concluding his military career at Craig AFB in Selma, Alabama. In Selma, they purchased the historic Shanks home on Church Street, where they began its loving restoration. Nearby, Shirley served as church secretary at First Baptist Church under Dr. Henry Lyon III, a role that reflected her steadfast faith and organizational gifts.

Following George’s military service, he joined Mead Paper Company, leading to relocations to Scottsboro, Alabama, and Brenham, Texas. Eventually, the couple returned to their roots in Amarillo. There, George taught accounting at West Texas State University, while Shirley resumed her calling as church secretary at First Baptist Amarillo under Dr. Winfred Moore. Later, they made Westcliff Bible Church their spiritual home, where they supported the book ministry of Dr. Steven Waterhouse.

An accomplished bridge player, Shirley enjoyed card games throughout her life, even in her later years. She also found joy in playing the piano. After the passing of her beloved husband, George, in 2017, Shirley moved to Massachusetts to live with her daughter, Georjann Aulbach McGaha, who became her full-time caregiver.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Charles Delmar and Elizabeth Ruth Oheim; her brother, Donald H. Oheim; her husband, George F. Aulbach, Jr.; and her son, Steven Aulbach. She is survived by her daughter, Georjann Aulbach McGaha (Ashley) of Groton, Massachusetts; nephew Kurt Oheim (Laura) of Amarillo, TX; granddaughters Laura McGaha Haven (John) of Groton, Massachusetts, Sara McGaha Bush (Benjamin) of Birmingham, Alabama, Janna McGaha Phillips (Ryan) of Springville, Alabama, and Christa McGaha (Mike) of Salem, Massachusetts; grandsons David McGaha (Sarah) of Berlin, Massachusetts, and Jonathan McGaha (Nicolette) of South Boston, Massachusetts; and seven great-grandchildren.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to Shirley’s caregivers of the past seven years, Sandi Ray of Tyngsboro, Massachusetts, and Tricia Sommer of Cave Creek, Arizona, whose loving support made a profound difference in her life.

A memorial service will be held at Carlisle Congregational Church in Carlisle, Massachusetts, on Monday March 10, 2025 at 3PM, with a family graveside service to follow at a later date at New Live Oak Cemetery in Selma, Alabama. In lieu of flowers, donations in Shirley’s memory may be made to Carlisle Congregational Church, Carlisle, Massachusetts, Westcliff Bible Church, Amarillo, Texas, or Pinnacle Community Church, Amarillo, TX.