Shirley Janet Padilla Higgins Prince

Shirley went to heaven on June 5th, 2025. She was surrounded by her family which included her husband Jonathan who was by her side through every chemo treatment. Shirley found she had cancer in late August 2024 and was formally diagnosed in September 2024. She tried her best to have an upbeat attitude, following doctor’s orders and immersing herself in prayer each and every day.

She was born on a cold October morning to Helen (Madrid) and Floyd Padilla in Amarillo, TX. She lived in Perry, Stillwater, and Okmulgee, OK, Albuquerque, NM and Erie, PA. Shirley attended Catholic school in Santa Rosa, NM, for five years and then attended public middle school and high school, graduating in 1974. That same year Shirley got married and then in November 1974 had one son, Geno James Higgins. She attended college at Oklahoma State Tech and received her Associates degree concentrating on medical transcription. She later married Jonathan Daniel Prince and they have been married for over 35 years. She also attended TVI, University of Phoenix and received her masters at Mercyhurst College in Pennsylvania.

Shirley started working for the FBI in August 1985 and continued until April 2016. During that time she attended night school and later Mercyhurst University in Erie, PA, attaining her graduate degree.

Shirley loved Santa Rosa, NM and all her friends there, and all the fishing, swimming, and hiking in the summertime. She loved to crochet and before her illness she loved to run in at least three 5ks during the summertime. For many years Shirley helped her husband with his healing, and he got to return the favor in her last few years.

Shirley had a bible study she led every Tuesday and met with about eight women who helped with positivity and healing. Shirley and Jonathan were Shabbat keepers and had a wonderful pastor, Al Humble, he along with the congregation provided powerful prayer and positivity throughout her illness, as did her family and friends. Shirley also maintained contact with several women who previously worked with her and they provided positivity and prayer.

Shirley leaves behind her loving husband, Jonathan, her only and much loved son Geno James and his wife Amy Higgins, beloved grandchildren Kayla, Ashlynn, Charlotte and James Higgins. She was preceded in death by her parents Helen and Floyd Padilla in June and July 2012, her brother Floyd Padilla, Jr. and her nephews Ivan Cave and Omar Gonzales. Also grandparents, uncles and aunts too numerous to mention. She also leaves behind her sisters Catherine Evans, Diane Lueras, Rose Evangeline (Robert) Delgado, Carol Marie Joyce (Alfred) Gonzales, Melissa Padilla and Patrick (Paula) Padilla.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, June 28th, 2025 – FRENCH Lomas Chapel at 10:00am, with a reception to follow. A graveside service will be later that afternoon at Mountain Valley Cemetery.