Shirley Anne Van Court

Shirley Anne Todaro Van Court of Pass Christian, MS passed away peacefully surrounded by her family in Diamondhead, MS on February 21, 2025, at the age of 88. Born in Shreveport, LA on February 20, 1937.

Shirley married the love of her life, the late Robert (Rip) Van Court in 1955 and they were able to celebrate 64 years together before his passing. In Shreveport they would start raising 4 daughters - Theresa, Pattie, Cathy, and Susan. It was in the summer of 1970 when the family moved to the Gulf Coast. For Shirley this was more than a big move, it was a big life change. She left everyone & everything she knew and, in the end, it was all worth it. Once her girls were in school, she had the opportunity to start working at Hancock Bank until her retirement in 2007. Working at the bank was more than a job, it is where she would meet new lifetime friends. Shirley & Rip lived in what they thought would be their forever home full memories of laughter & love. One of her favorite things to do was cook for her family and cook she did, just ask any of her grandsons. Unfortunately, Katrina had other plans and this would find them in their next forever home. While this new home wasn’t the same it was a home that brought them much love & happiness thanks to family & friends. Shirley ended up having her dream front porch that was always good for a visit, a hot cup of coffee & a view to watch the birds. If she wasn’t outside you could find her inside reading, it’s a fact she could fall asleep with a book in hand wake up & start reading where she left off. Retirement was a big change for both of them that included almost daily trips to Dollar General and a weekly trip to the casino and let’s not forget those Hallmark movies, if you know you know. Retirement also included more time with her growing family; 6 grandchildren & 7 great grandchildren.Shirley will be remembered for her sassy personality that she so lovingly passed along to her daughters, granddaughters, and great-granddaughters.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Lillie & Clevie Brewster; and her forever love, Rip Van Court. She is survived by her four daughters, Theresa (Mark) Taylor, Pattie (Craig) Villani, Cathy (Rusty) Bang, and Susan (John) Gitzen; her half-sisters, Jeannie Todaro and Linda Utter; grandchildren, Michael (Amanda) Taylor, Jason (Nicole) Taylor, Jared Babin, Brandon (Megan) Bang, Merideth (Brett) Kathmann, and Brittany Gitzen; great-grandchildren, Jacob Taylor, Aidan Taylor, Ronin Babin, Cooper Bang, Caroline Bang, Bentley Taylor, and Marjorie Kathmann.

Visitation will be on Thursday, March 6, 2025, from 9:30 - 11 am at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 720 E Beach Blvd, Long Beach, MS 39560. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 am in the church. Interment will be in Long Beach City Cemetery.

The Riemann Family Funeral Home, Long Beach, is serving the family.  The family would like to thank the staff of the memory care unit at Woodland Village for the care and compassion shown to Shirley for the last three years.