Shirley Durow Peckham was born on January 27, 1940, in Port Arthur, Texas, to Martin John Durow and Alma Moerbe Durow. She left this life on December 27, 2025, at the age of 85. She was married to Jerry Peckham in 1962, and together they enjoyed 63 years of loving marriage.

Shirley and Jerry lived in Port Neches, Texas, for many years before retiring to Georgetown, Texas, in 1999, and later to Houston, Texas, in 2011. Shirley graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in Port Arthur, Texas, in 1958 and from Concordia Lutheran College in Austin, Texas, in 1960. She began her career in 1960 as a teacher at Trinity Lutheran Church and School in Austin, then moved to Lincoln, Texas, where she taught first through fourth grades while also serving as church organist for St. John Lutheran Church and School. In 1973, she began teaching first grade at Woodcrest Elementary in the Port Neches–Groves Independent School District, where she remained until her retirement in 1995. She was blessed to assist in the early development of so many wonderful children who passed through her classroom door.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Martin and Alma Durow, and her brother, Leonard Durow. She is survived by her husband, Jerry Peckham, and her son and daughter-in-law, Kevin and Marlise Peckham, of Cypress, Texas.

At the family’s request, private graveside services were held at Greenlawn Memorial Park, with arrangements handled by Clayton Thompson Funeral Home.

Shirley dearly loved her family, her friends, and her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She will be deeply missed.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be sent to the ALS Association.