Shirley is now about 85 years old. She had a very turbulent and amazing life. She grew up in California in Hayward. As a young woman and young mother she lived in Los Gatos on a ranch. She told me she shot rattle snakes with one hand and nursed the baby with the other. She was part of the Alviso Family.

Her grandfather was not pleased that her grandmother a very beautiful and willful woman - fell in love with a Scotsman. Love always played a great role in Shirley's life. She still is one of the most loving women on this earth.

Shirley had a wonderful singing voice as a young woman and even to this day. She still performs! When she turned 68 years old she decided to go back to pursue her passion as a singer. As a young teenager she performed as a singer. One of the most fun days she had performing Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald music at various venues in San Francisco.

Once she started having babies, when she was still very young, she earned money transcribing music. She had six children and an extremely trying marriage. She left and ran away, essentially. She ended up in Paris in the 60s and got a job as a publicist.

She worked for United Pictures and the Grand Prix promoting and catering to 60s celebrities. Cary Grant was one of her favorites - very elegant, charming and very loyal to his lovely wife. Elizabeth Taylor always made a great entrance. She would never go anywhere without full make-up. She told Shirley: "Child, you can make a first impression only ONCE."

She loved James Earl Jones. Shirley told me that he was a truly elegant man - completely unaware at that time of his own personal power. He was about 30 when she met him. She told me he was stunningly gorgeous with these green eyes that gave away his determination to leave a mark on the world.

She had to take care of the actors during the filming of "What's new pussycat?" Peter Sellers was hilarious in real life. Peter O'Toole was one of her favorites. Romy Schneider was charming and everyone's darling but her love life was tragic. Eventually she couldn't take it anymore. Peter O'Toole was elegant! But she told me that Peter O'Toole was intense and charming. Mchael Caine was handsome in a romantic sort of way. I don't remember Shirley telling me anything about Tom Jones.

Eventually Shirley married a famous photographer that worked for Magnum Photos in Paris and as such she was invited to many historic events. One of her other favorite parties was when she got to dance with Orson Welles, well-known for his movie "Citizen Kane." They were in Algiers and Spain when Orson was shooting the film Chimes at Midnight. She told me that she was amazed how smooth and flexible he was despite his considerable girth. He made her feel very feminine. MORE

Later Shirley came back to the US and moved to Mill Valley to attend to her children and to work on being a little more mature. She worked in the marketing departments of a variety of concerns. Even now in her mid 80s she is a very young spirit. Shirley is best described as boisterously elegant.

She embodies the true California spirit. Playful, flexible, strong and loyal without being needy. She takes care of business. She is intelligent, exciting, and still spend her time spreading love around. Her wisdom is precious so here are some of Shirley's wishes for you. We wish to share them with you and hopefully you will share it with your own friends. Stay in touch with your friends!

Here is one of the many wisdom's we receive from our friend Shirley.