Shirley Aggarwal, loving Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Sister, Aunt and Friend, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Friday, July 3rd at the age of 80.  As she went to be with the Lord, she was surrounded by her family who whispered thoughts of love and peace to comfort her on her journey home.   Her loving demeanor will continue to live through her husband, children and grandchildren.

Shirley was born on December 19th, 1939 in Jakarta, Indonesia to Carel Willem Portier and Elize Henriette Portier (nee Kreeft).  Her childhood was fun and memorable spending time playing and being carefree with her brothers, sisters, and extended family.  As with any life, Shirley also endured tribulations that shaped her life.  Her early childhood was marred with political strife as Indonesia struggled to get independence from the Japanese and Dutch, which finally occurred in 1945, then in 1956, the family decided to move to Holland to begin a new life.  While in Holland, she had to assimilate to a new culture, but the love of her family helped her thrive.  She graduated summa cum laude from Jeanne d'Arc Lyceum with dreams of being an ambassador to the United Nations.

In 1960, this dream brought her to the United States with her sister, brother-in-law, niece and two nephews.  Shirley was attending San Jose State when her dreams took a turn.  In 1962, a relationship unknowingly started as she was sitting on a bench in front of Tower Hall, when a young, handsome man from India sat down next to her and offered her lunch.  That chance encounter led to a fairytale 55-year marriage to Kamal Aggarwal that began on May 15, 1965 and grew to include 5 children and 13 grandchildren.

Shirley led a storybook life and her legacy was the love she had for her husband, children, and grandchildren.  She stood side-by-side with Kamal as a loving and supportive wife that allowed him to build his career as an executive in the semiconductor industry. She showed her love for Kamal by learning and understanding the Indian culture.  Shirley was able to fulfill her dreams by traveling the world with Kamal to places such as Hong Kong, Singapore, Africa, Bali, Thailand, India, all over Europe and fifteen pilgrimages to the Holy Land, Lourdes, and Fatima, and other places that she cherished because of her faith in God.  She always said that she had the best life, like the "rich and famous" in her own words.

Shirley always made sure that her children had her attention, love, and time.  She lovingly provided everything they needed to have a happy childhood.  Her children always knew their mom would be there for them no matter what.  Most of all, they knew her love was unconditional.  This is their mother's gift that they have given to their own children.

Shirley was well-known and admired in her large circle of friends because of her exceptional ability to love and make connections with babies and young children.  She was so adept at this that some of her children's friends asked her if she would be willing to take care of their newborns when they return to work.   She always willingly did and treated them as her own.

Shirley leaves behind a family that will live on in love because of her: her husband Kamal; her sons Paul, Roy and wife Lisa, Dave and wife Shelly, and Steve and wife Crystal; her daughter Pamela; her beloved grandchildren who lovingly called her Oma: Luke (wife Kim), Allison, Sarah, Emma, Royce, Elliana, Deven, Danali, Cori, Nathan, Avery and Shane.  We will all miss her love and spirit but know that both will live on in each of us forever.  Hakuna Matata, Mom!

Her family will have a Catholic Mass to send her to be with the Lord.  Her ashes will be spread in Monterey Bay, Hawaii and India.  A Celebration of Life is planned on her birthday on December 19th, 2020 (if the current Covid situation improves).