Shirley Marie Poff

Shirley Marie Poff passed away peacefully at her home in Emporia on November 6th, 2026 at the age of 81. She was born on October 23rd, 1945 in Emporia to Rexford David and Mary Alice (Radig) Vaughn. On March 9th, 1963 Shirley married the love of her life Dick L. Poff, at the Nazarene Church in Emporia. Together they built a life centered around love, family, and devotion to one another.

Throughout her working years, Shirley was employed by Crawford Manufacturing Company, the cafeteria at IBP, Newman Regional Health in housekeeping, Emporia Nursing Home, and Meadowview Care Center. She eventually transitioned into a career as an in-home health caregiver, providing compassionate care to numerous families throughout the community. It was a calling that came naturally to Shirley. Her exceptional caregiving abilities quickly became well known and her services were highly sought after by families in the Emporia area. Shirley had an extraordinary gift for caring for others defined by patience, compassion, empathy, and a selfless dedication to the well-being of those around her. She had a special way of expressing her deep and unconditional love for family and friends while never losing her sense of humor or her lighthearted outlook on life. She especially loved the holidays and all the joy that came with them. Shirley looked forward to the celebrations, traditions, and special gatherings that brought her loved ones together. She treasured the time spent with those closest to her and found her greatest happiness in the simple moments shared with family and friends. Her compassion extended beyond people to animals as well. Shirley had a tender heart for all creatures and could rarely turn away an animal in need of love, attention, or care. In the home, Shirley took great pride in keeping a clean and welcoming house and was known for her baking, especially her pumpkin rolls. She also had a deep appreciation for the outdoors and enjoyed helping her husband Dick in the garden, tending to her flowers, watching the birds, and spending countless peaceful hours relaxing on her patio swing.

Above all, Shirley will be remembered for her loving heart, her generous spirit, her sense of humor, her devotion to her family, and the countless lives she touched through her kindness and care. Her legacy will live on through the family and friends that she loved so dearly and the many memories she leaves behind.

She is survived by her husband, Dick Poff of Emporia; her son, Gary (Marlina) Poff of Burlington; her daughter, Dana (Ray) Lambert of Neosho Rapids; grandchildren, Kaylani (Kenneth) Bronson, Jeniffer (Dillon) Quaney, Ric Poff, and Hussain Alateef; and great-grandchildren, Karl, Kinsley, Oliver, Brayleigh, Aleisha, and one expected in January, Casen She was preceded in death by her grandson, Darton; her parents, Rexford and Mary Vaughn; her sister, Mary Jane Coffee; and her brother, Carl Vaughn.

A graveside service will be held at Hillside Cemetery in Toledo, Kansas on Thursday, November 12, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.

A memorial has been established with the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. Contributions may be sent in care of Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home, P.O. Box 175, Emporia, Kansas 66801.