Shirley G. Nastav

Shirley ""Shirl"" Gonzales Nastav. Was born in Murnau, Germany on December 15, 1948. Shirl was the first born, of 6 children, to Ernest and Giesela Gonzales. The daughter of a Master Sergeant in the U. S. Army, she would grow up living between Germany and Denver, the home of her father. While in Germany, Shirl would meet the love of her life, Joseph Nastav III, who was stationed at an army base in Bad Kreuznach, Germany. Before their return to the states, Shirl would give birth to the first of 2 children, Vincent Nastav. She would live in Texas and Virginia, before finally settling down with her family in Kansas City, Kansas. While living in Virginia, she would give birth to their second child, Lenee Nastav. She would live in Kansas City for 31 years, and even though her parents and siblings were spread out over the US and Germany, she managed to stay close to all of them. Family meant everything to Shirl, and she made sure that her children got to know all their relatives, and made every effort to keep, as well as bring, family together. Even though there were thousands of miles between them, there was no denying the love between Shirl and her siblings: Karl Gonzales, Gail Clark, Jim Gonzales, Lenee Hodson, and Michael Gonzales. Shirl was also close to extended family, being practically inseparable, as kids, from one particular cousin, Corinne. It seemed that if there was trouble, these 2 were together in the midst of it. Shirl loved to dance. She would participate in dance contests, with the oldest sibling Karl Gonzales, when they were teenagers. Another love of Shirl's was cooking and baking. If someone was to visit her, it was best to visit on an empty stomach. Whether you were hungry or not, food was served and you could not just eat a little. For one it was guaranteed delicious and 2, she just didn't take no for an answer. If you did not visit Shirl, but had the pleasure of her visiting you, she usually arrived with a homemade pie, cake, cookies, or some other baked goods. Along with her love of cooking, she loved helping others. She was actively volunteering for multiple different causes, both at her work and in the community. Over her adult life, she has received numerous recognition awards for her volunteer services from food drives to public health, and helping the United Way. She served a term as a Chapter Vice President of the International Association of Administrative Professionals. This passion would eventually lead her to a career in the Public Health Department of Wyandotte County of Kansas City, KS, and more recently working at the Craig Institute here in Denver. 2005, would find Shirl moving back to Denver, with her husband, to help care for her ailing parents until their passing in 2008. Shirl was in good health, and living her life when she became ill. It started as, what appeared to be a simple cold that just never seemed to go away. Doctors would assess the symptoms and provide treatments, but nothing seemed to get her back to feeling like her normal self again. She would eventually feel ill enough to go to the emergency room. She was taken to the Swedish hospital on September 1, 2015. After extensive tests, the doctors were finally able to come up with a diagnosis, 3 days later. She was diagnosed with Amyloidosis and transferred to a specialty hospital, the University of Colorado Medical Center. Shirl would then pass away, at UCMC, the next day, Saturday September 5, 2015 due to the advanced progression of this disease. Amyloidosis, is a rare disease where the person's bone marrow produces an abnormal protein called amyloid, that can enter any tissue or organ. This collection of protein inhibits function of affected organs leading to eventual organ failure. This disease initially infected her heart, but then rapidly progressed to her kidneys and liver. It was a shock to all family and friends. Shirl is survived by her husband, 2 children, 2 granddaughters Tatjana and Manuela, her siblings, and 12 nephews and nieces. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, please make a gift in memory of Shirl, in support of the research of Amyloidosis for bone marrow transplant and patient care. Contributions can be sent to: Shirley (Shirl) Nastav C.U. Foundation P.O. Box 17126 Denver, Co. 80217 www.C.U.fund.org Services will be held Saturday September 12, at 10am, Horan and McConaty 3101 S. Wadsworth Blvd., Lakewood, CO 80227. Shirl will be buried at Fort Logan Cemetery.