Obituary: Shirley Santin Bandirola

Obituary
Jul 28
2 min read

Longtime Juneau resident Shirley Santin Bandirola, 88, passed away peacefully on July 5, 2025, at Bartlett Regional Hospital in Juneau, Alaska.

Shirley was born January 26, 1937, in Cleveland, Ohio, to August and Ida Santin. She was one of four children. When Shirley was ten years old her family moved to Sacramento, California. Shirley worked for the California State Chamber of Commerce for several years. When she was given the opportunity to help establish an Alaska State Chamber of Commerce she jumped at the chance. Shirley moved to Juneau in 1960 and her adventures began.

In Shirley’s own words: “I met a handsome New Yorker at a party and it turned out to be the very best blessing of my life. Lou Bandirola and I married in 1962 in Sacramento, but have lived our lives here in Juneau and will forever. We have two wonderful sons, Stephen and David.”

Shirley retired from the position of Human Resources Director at Bartlett Regional Hospital in 1990. After her retirement Shirley kept busy traveling with her husband, boating, enjoying water aerobics, hosting book club in her home, and attending St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church. Shirley was a long time volunteer with Hospice of Juneau. In 1999, Shirley was invited to become a member of the Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO). As a member of the PEO, Shirley developed lifelong friends that she is proud to call “sisters.” The PEO was not just an organization to Shirley, it was family, helping her with the little things in life.

Shirley was preceded in death by the love of her life Louis Bandirola. She is survived by her two sons and daughters-in-law, Stephen and Katie Bandirola of El Dorado Hills, California, and David and Tish Bandirola of South Bend, Washington, and granddaughter Olivia Bandirola of El Dorado Hills, California.

A Commitment service will be held at the Columbarium at the Shrine of St. Therese north of Juneau on August 14, 2025 at 1 p.m. A celebration of life and reception will follow at 3 p.m. at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church hall, 9055 Atlin Drive, Juneau, Alaska, 99801.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Shirley’s name to be sent to PEO Chapter G, C/O Liz Balstad, Treasurer, 1791 Diamond Drive, Juneau, AK 99801.