Shirley Ann “Aunt Annie” Newport, age 87 of West Carrollton, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 3, 2026, at her home surrounded by her loving family.

She was born on December 30, 1938, in Celina, Ohio, the daughter of the late Wayne & Kathryn (Kugel) Thompson.

Preceded in death by her husband Homer L. “Lee” Newport on January 25, 1998, her brother Bill Thompson and her sister Nance Lee Gerdes.

She is survived by her 3 loving daughters Ellen Zalusky (Eric), Beth Smith (Greg) and Dianna Lawson (Ryan), her 2 grandchildren Bailey Phillippi (Drew) and Colton Smith 4 beloved great grandsons Elijah, Knox, Noah and Max, her 2 sisters Joyce Thiemann (Eddie) and Jane Nelson, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Shirley graduated from Patterson Co-op in 1957 and started her first job at Winters Bank in downtown Dayton, OH. She loved her job and her coworkers and was promoted internally many times and eventually was responsible for the training for all the new tellers as they were hired. She also loved to bowl and won several trophies. In 1961 she met Lee Newport. Lee and Shirley were married in 1962, and in 1963 welcomed their first of three daughters.

Shirley loved music and making people laugh. She was always fun and the life of the party! If you couldn’t find Shirley somewhere you could stop and listen for the laughter and that would lead you to her.

Shirley was the oldest daughter of five and was at times the mom to her siblings. Her closest friend was her sister Nancy who she talked to every single day until her dementia made it too difficult. She was very close to her two other sisters Joyce and Jane, who probably missed the lengthy phone calls as well. For many years, the four sisters shared a special tradition every Wednesday known as “Sister Day”, gathering to go shopping, enjoy lunch, or simply sit and visit together.

After being diagnosed with dementia in 2020, Shirley spent the last eight years under the care of her daughter Beth and son-in-law Greg Smith. Both went truly above and beyond the typical expectations for caring for a parent. Our family is forever grateful for their sacrifices. Shirley’s life reminds is that you’re never to busy to lend an ear or a shoulder when it comes to someone in need. We will miss her forever but rejoicing that she is no longer suffering.

Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday August 14, 2026, at Swart Funeral Home, West Carrollton with Rev. Dr. Joel Getts officiating. Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in West Carrollton. The family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (2 hours prior to service) on Friday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton in memory of Mrs. Shirley Ann Newport.

Please share memories and condolences at www.swartfuneralhome.com. Expressions of Sympathy, Love, and Thinking of You cards may be sent to The Family of Mrs. Shirley A. Newport , C/O Swart Funeral Home, 207 E. Central Ave., West Carrollton, Ohio 45449.