Shirley Leif

Shirley Leif, 80, passed away on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in Roswell, New Mexico. Please take a moment and share a kind thought or memory with Shirley’s family at www.andersonbethany.com. On July 22, 1943, Shirley was born to parents James A. Cobb and Florence Leona Bowden in Carlsbad, New Mexico, but grew up in West Pittsburg, California. In High School, she met the love of her life Martin Leif when she was 15 years old. Shirley was known as the “First Lady” to Martin in school, as he was the Student Body President. Shirley married Martin on April 20, 1963, in California and they had two children, Lisa and Michael. They were married for 61 years. Shirley was a member of St. Peter’s Church. She was involved with the UFO Festival and Sisters of Poor Clare. She received a scholarship for Paris Beauty College in Concord, CA. Prior to retirement, Shirley worked at Las Alamos Lab and ENMMC in scheduling, billing, and coding between 2001 to 2015. Shirley was amazing at her job and was a strong pillar in the medical community. Shirley had many hobbies such as painting, rock hunting, spending time with grandchildren, boating on Abiquiu Lake, as well as wallpapering and home decorating. She had a love for shopping, something her husband said she had a “Masters” in. Holidays were her favorite time of the year. She loved to facetime with her grandkids and play racing games with Michael. Sharing her love for the arts was daily. Everywhere she went, she brought a smile to everyone’s face. She didn’t have an evil bone in her body. She loved to go mile for mile on the back of a motorcycle with her husband. She loved her husband Martin very much and he loved her very much. Shirley will be missed by her family and friends. Those left to eternally treasure and cherish memories of Shirley are her husband, Martin Leif; son, Mike Leif, and wife Heather; grandchildren: Hailee and Michael Leif; niece, Jeanette Turner; and close friends: Beth, Leona, and Jenny. Shirley is preceded in death by her daughter, Lisa Ann Leif; father, James A. Cobb; mother, Florence Leona Bowden; grandfather, William Floyd Bowden; grandmother, Pearl Bowden; paternal grandfather, Rufus R. Cobb; and paternal grandmother, Lillie Cobb Stewart. What I would like to tell you. Mike: “I love you.” Martin: “Don’t go, we have too much left to do.” Shirley’s tribute was lovingly written by her family.

Shirley Leif

July 22, 1943 - April 30, 2024