Shirley Ann (Whalen) Tabb  (74) of  Cobb Island, Maryland

Shirley Tabb peacefully transitioned into eternal rest on Saturday March 29, 2025 in Cobb Island, Maryland.

Shirley Ann Tabb, known to her family members and friends as Joann was born in Newport, Md on May 13, 1950.  She was lucky 10 as the last girl child of Alice Whalen.  As such, she enjoyed all the advantages of being the baby girl.  She and her sister Irene were one year apart and were inseparable.

She attended Wayside elementary to the second grade and Bel Alton until the 9th grade when Charles County schools were integrated. She graduated from La Plata High in 1967 and went onto work for the federal reserve from where she retired in 2015.

It was not her work that defined her. She had many interests and hobbies that kept her busy and engaged.  She was motivated by her love of family,  and no one was more important to her then her, son, Spencer. They shared a great mother and son bond but beyond that they had fun and took joy in each other and their accomplishments. She was always there to support him and guide him.  He joined the Marines in 1988 and that was a proud moment in her life.  She was instrumental in organizing family reunions and played a pivotal role in researching family connections. She enjoyed going to casinos with her brother and other friends and family members.  She won some and lost some, but won more than she lost.  She loved taking photos and being in photos. In many of these photos, there are cats.  Next to Spencer and family, she loved cats the most.  They got their first cat together and named her basket case," BC", which derived from her love of Stephen King novels (another one of her interests). Others came by happenstance. She started by feeding some of them and gradually they became part of her family

She had an interest in travel and was able to visit many cities and states. Her favorite was California where her son settled.   She was fascinated by the rigors of living in the Alaskan wilderness and one of her favorite shows was Port Protection, Alaska. She enjoyed music and in her last months would often spend the evenings with her sisters listening to music videos.  Her favorite was Michael McDonald, I keep forgetting.  She also watched Jeopardy and did not want to be bothered when she was doing it.  She was famous for her Sprite upside down cake and no family gathering was complete without it.

She is survived by her son, Spencer Taylor, daughter in law, Katie, three grandchildren, Ryan, Ciara and Logan, five great grandchildren, sisters, Mary Whalen, Alice Smoot (James Smoot), and Irene Whalen, godchild, Janel Smoot and many nieces and nephews.

Viewing, Tuesday April 8, 2025, 10:00 a.m. until time of Mass at 11:00 a.m., St. Ignatius Chapel Point Catholic Church, 8855 Chapel Point Road, Port Tobacco, Maryland 20677

Interment, St. Ignatius Chapel Point Catholic Church Cemetery, Port Tobacco, Maryland