Shirley Bloom

Shirley Bloom, 93, passed away peacefully at her home in The Houstonian early Monday morning, May 5, 2025. Shirley, who was also affectionately known as Mama Shirl, was born in Toronto, Canada on September 23, 1931. Shirley grew up in Toronto where at a young age she met her beloved and life-long companion, Leon Bloom. They married in 1952, and Shirley worked hard after high school to help put Leon through his medical training at the University of Toronto Medical School. After her husband’s graduation, Shirley helped manage Leon’s practice for several years, continuing in that role even after they began raising a young family. In 1977, Shirley and Leon moved to Houston, Texas. They quickly became Texans and made many new long-lasting friendships. Shirley and Leon were married for 67 years at the time she lost her husband, in January 2020, at the age of 88. They had a wonderful marriage and enjoyed life together to the fullest. Shirley and Leon had three children, eight grandchildren, and 12 great grandchildren, all of whom she adored and made the center of her world as she was very much a strong matriarch and the glue of the family. Sunday night dinner at her and Leon’s home was a family tradition and attendance by all was close to mandatory. Shirley is survived by her three children, Martin Bloom, and his wife Laya, Brian Bloom, and his wife Carol, and Patti Morgan, and her husband, Michael; her beautiful grandchildren, Adam Bloom and his wife Chloe, Jerad Bloom and his wife Sanja, Kevin Bloom, and his wife Kristie, Philip Morgan and his wife Katie, Brittany Dinerstein and her husband Brad, Andrew Bloom and his wife Gabi, Lilly Gilford, and her husband Seth, and Russ Morgan; and her great grandchildren, Henry, Alice, Mia, Ben, Cole, Presley, Lucy Chase, Riley, Molly, Finley, Mara and Hudson. One of Shirley’s favorite things to do was to be a docent at the Holocaust Museum Houston, which she did for many years. She loved to study up on all the new exhibits, and Shirley especially enjoyed sharing her knowledge and educating the younger generations. She also enjoyed delivering meals through the Meals on Wheels program for many years. Shirley was a fun-loving and very social person. She was always ready to have a good time and loved to entertain her family and friends, of which she had many. Enjoying lunch with her friends and playing mahjong with them were two of her favorite activities. Shirley was an avid bridge player and loved playing in local tournaments and teaching others how to play the game. In lieu of flowers, the family is recommending donations be made in Shirley’s memory to Congregation Beth Yeshurun (https://www.bethyeshurun.org/payment.php) or a charity close to your heart.

Shirley Bloom

September 23, 1931 - May 5, 2025