Shirley Denise Whitcomb, age 66, of Kennewick, WA, went home to be with the Lord the morning of August 31, 2026 from a sudden illness. Shirley was born on December 10, 1959 in Farmington, Minnesota. Her life journey gave her the opportunity to live in places such as Alabama, California, Colorado, Minnesota, and even oversees in Buch, Germany.

Shirley worked various jobs throughout her life, most notably working for the Washington Public Power Supply System, nicknamed “Whoops” in Richland, WA, to working as a barista mastering her craft at Starbucks in Meadow Springs. The last, and most important job she ever held was being the full-time caregiver for her mother (Margie Chastain) during the last 4 years of Shirley’s life.

Shirley will be remembered fondly for her kindness, fierce loyalty, Melbihess humor, her feistiness and unconditional love for her family and friends. Some of her many interests included her love for cooking and being an incredible baker serving up her famous peanut butter blossom cookies. Shirley also enjoyed spending her time sewing, gardening and the love she had for her dog Boobie.

Shirley was preceded in death by her dad (Richard Melbihess) on September 5, 2000. Shirley is survived by her loving husband Michael Hunt, her Mother Margie Chastain, her children Jeremy Weerts (Minnesota) and Ryan Whitcomb (California), her brothers Richard Melbihess (Florida) and Carlo Melbihess (Nevada) and many extended family members who she loved dearly.

The family will host a Funeral Service at Mueller’s Tri-Cities Funeral Home, 1401 S. Union Street, Kennewick, WA at 11:00am on Saturday, September 5, 2026. The family will lay Shirley to rest in a private ceremony after the service. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests you consider making a donation to the American Heart Association in her memory.