Shireen Kaufmann

Shireen Kaufmann, 77, passed away on Feb. 21, 2016, in Billings, with her family beside her.

She was a free-spirited mother of three children: Julie Ann Patrone, Anita L. Cook and Vincent Paul Patrone. Shireen resided in Absarokee with her two dogs, Alfy and Chloe, whom she cared for and loved very much.

A proud Cajun, born in Bunkie, La., Shireen made her way from the deep south to the west coast, and eventually Montana, where she fell in love with the beautiful scenery and wildlife. Her careers included a job in San Francisco with the DOJ, U.S. Attorney's office and the INS. Then it was off to ministerial school, where she became an ordained minister in the Church of Religious Science.

Shireen enjoyed volunteering, bingo, her dogs, horses, reading, warm fires, dancing to Cajun music, the Senior Center and many more of the simple things life had to offer.

She leaves behind daughter Anita L. Cook, Shawn Cook (husband), five grandchildren Austin, Mahaila, Torin, Aidan, and Dominique of Windsor, Calif., and son Vincent Paul Patrone, Vickie Lynn Patrone (wife) and their two dogs, Miller and Gidget of Columbus.

In God's arms, Shireen will be dearly missed by her family and all who knew her.

A private memorial "celebration of life" will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Columbus or Absarokee Senior Centers