Beloved “Nana,” Shirley Jean McCulloch Pisano, passed away peacefully on July 3, 2026, following a brief illness. She was 90 years old and would have celebrated her 91st birthday the following month.
Shirley was an artist, painter, teacher, hypnotherapist, devoted mother and grandmother, loyal friend, and the beloved center of a large extended family.
Early Life
Shirley was born on August 23, 1935, to Loretta Anna Murphy McCulloch and Russell Henry McCulloch.
She was their only daughter and the sister of Gerald “Jerry” Russell McCulloch. She was also a loving sister-in-law to Penelope “Penny” Rae Smith McCulloch.
Shirley graduated from Mountain View High School in 1953, where she shone as both an artist and a social butterfly. It was there that she met her cherished Vincent Carmelo Pisano before he left in 1952 to serve in the United States Army at Fort Lewis, Washington.
Marriage & Family
In 1955, Shirley married fellow Mountain View High School classmate Jimmy Neal Johnson. They later divorced in 1973.
Their lively family home remained in Cupertino, California, for 32 years and was always open to the many friends of their children from Monta Vista High School.
Shirley was the mother of:
- Melanie S. Johnson (John Hawker)
- Sheryl A. Johnson (Neely Crowley)
- Michael E. Johnson
- Kathleen L. Johnson (Jeff Wesolowski)
In 1975, Shirley reunited with her high school sweetheart, Vince C. Pisano, in Cupertino. They married in September 1975, and Shirley immediately gained two bonus children, Catharine Julee Pisano and Larry Vince Pisano (Cheryl M. Gober Pisano), creating a blended family much like “The Brady Bunch.”
Shirley and Vince shared 50 years of marriage before his passing on August 11, 2025.
Art & Teaching
Shirley was a gifted and passionate artist.
Working primarily with oil paint, she especially loved capturing the beauty of California oak trees and natural landscapes. She taught painting at The Red Door Gallery in Cupertino and was invited to exhibit her work at numerous art shows.
Her creativity, warmth, and enthusiasm made her a natural teacher, and she generously shared her artistic talents with others.
Shirley also worked as a hypnotherapist and helped many people throughout the years.
A Proud Mother
Shirley was infinitely proud of each of her children and their accomplishments.
She was especially proud of her daughter Sheryl Johnson, who earned a bronze medal with the United States Women’s Field Hockey Team at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
She celebrated the accomplishments of all her children and remained one of their most enthusiastic supporters.
Life at The Villages
In 2000, Shirley and Vince moved to The Villages in Evergreen, San Jose, California, where they quickly became known as the “life of the party.”
They frequently hosted popular “Sip and Chat” gatherings on their shady deck, where neighbors and friends gathered to laugh, visit, and enjoy one another’s company.
In 2021, Shirley and Vince made the difficult move from their beloved Villages community to join their family in Idaho.
Later Years & Adventures
Following Vince’s passing, Shirley moved to Grace Independent Living in Boise, Idaho.
There she formed many new friendships and enjoyed the companionship of others in the dining room, during Happy Hour, and while playing Bingo. Shirley was a frequent winner and smiled at the gentle teasing this inspired.
She also developed a close relationship with Grace’s chaplain, Clayton Potter, and deeply appreciated his poignant worship services.
In April 2026, Shirley fulfilled a lifelong dream when she traveled through the Panama Canal with her son Michael, daughter Melanie, and granddaughter Elise.
The cruise included stops in Costa Rica and along the Pacific coast of Mexico. Shirley once again became the life of the party, making new friends, dancing to nightly music, and embracing every moment of the journey.
The trip became an unforgettable experience and left her family with many treasured memories.
Always eager for another adventure, Shirley had planned a road trip with her daughter Sheryl from Idaho to Mount Rushmore, South Dakota, later that month. She had also planned another cruise on the Salmon and Columbia Rivers in November.
Grandchildren & Great-Grandchildren
Shirley was “Nana” to six granddaughters:
- Emilee A. Johnson (Nick Amaro)
- Amanda W. DeNolf
- Elise M. Tarens (Krnl Sanders)
- Erica J. Tarens
- Janelle M. Wesolowski (Ben Veen)
- Megan E. Wesolowski (Andrew Felty)
She was also Nana to one grandson, Kevin Brooks (Laura Lucas Brooks), and step-Nana to Angela M. Hawker (David Painter).
She was Great-Nana to:
- Oliver Amaro
- Landon Amaro
- Penny Brooks
- Ella Grace DeNolf
- Emersyn C. Veen
- A soon-to-be-born baby boy Felty
She was step-great-Nana to:
- David “Hawke” Painter III
- Mila Violet Painter
Shirley was also a devoted dog mom to her 13-year-old Shih Tzu, Sadie Jada.
Extended Family
Shirley was a cherished aunt to her nieces and nephews and their families:
- Coleen M. McCulloch Walker (Joey)
- Laurie A. McCulloch Campbell (Bruce)
- Molly R. McCulloch Lauf (Brian)
- Carie L. McCulloch Lair (Rich)
She was also a loving sister-in-law to Phyllis and Mike Pisano of Valley Springs, California.
Preceded in Death
Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Loretta and Russell McCulloch; her brother, Jerry McCulloch; her sister-in-law, Penny McCulloch; her beloved husband, Vince Pisano; and many dear friends from Mountain View High School, the Cupertino art community, and The Villages in San Jose.
Legacy
Shirley was a friend to countless people throughout her life.
She brought creativity, laughter, warmth, and energy wherever she went. Whether she was painting, teaching, traveling, dancing, visiting with friends, helping clients, or gathering her family around her, Shirley embraced life fully.
She will be deeply missed by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family, friends, and all those fortunate enough to have known her.
Shirley’s family expresses profound gratitude to the staff at Grace Independent Living, as well as the compassionate medical teams at St. Luke’s Hospital in Meridian and Boise, for the tender care they provided.
Celebration of Life
Friday, August 7, 2026
10:30 a.m.
Summers Funeral Home
3629 E. Ustick Road
Meridian, Idaho 83646
A reception will follow the service.
Final arrangements have been entrusted to Summers Funeral Home in Meridian, Idaho.
In place of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Shirley’s name to the American Heart Association.
