Shirley Compere

Shirley Althea Compere (née Tracy), age 71, of Oak Park, Illinois, passed away peacefully on April 30th, 2026, surrounded by family.

Shirley was born on March 27th, 1955, in Point Fortin, Trinidad and Tobago to Veronica Tracy & George Lawrence.  She came to the United States at the age of 17. Upon arriving in Chicago, she took night classes to obtain her high school diploma. Shirley grew up with a passion for different kinds of music (especially reggae), fitness, and had a love of flowers and nature.

Shirley spent much of her life working in housekeeping and caring for others. She worked at Oak Park Hospital (Supervisor of Linen Department), Riveredge Hospital (Housekeeping), and West Suburban Hospital (Housekeeping Lead). 

Outside of work, she was happiest when she was spending time with family, going door to door for field service, relaxing on the porch in warm weather, taking long car rides, traveling, and eating Italian Ice. She loved her dog, Taffy (even though she really didn’t want a dog initially). She became a Jehovah’s Witness in the early 90s and that was very important to her and how she conducted herself. 

She had an unmistakable ability to never give up for the people that she loved and to put others first. She would give everything that she had to make sure that the people around her were comfortable. She would sacrifice her own needs to make sure everyone else’s needs were met.

She was the beloved wife of Ernest for 42 years and a devoted mother to Josie, Ernest Jr, Steven, and Shanica. Shirley’s legacy lives on through her granddaughter, Charlotte Tracy Compere, who will only be able to hear the stories about her grandmother and the kind of person that she was.

She is survived by her husband, Ernest; children, Josie, Ernest Jr., Steven (Elizabeth), and Shanica; and granddaughter, Charlotte.

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