Shirley Anne Harrison Hyde (Meisner, Achee)

Shirley Anne Harrison Hyde died peacefully at her home in Destrehan from multiple myeloma on Monday, November 1, 2021 in the care of her family and friends.  Shirley was born in New Orleans on June 25, 1930 to Walter John Harrison and Katherine Cogan Harrison and grew up at 2401 Audubon Street. Her father, a 1921 Naval Academy graduate, was a captain serving aboard the aircraft carrier USS Suwannee during World War Two.  Shirley kept the home fires burning with her mother, her older sister Katherine Loretta (“Jimmie”), and her younger brother Richard.  Shirley attended McMain Senior High School before entering Loyola University.  On April 23, 1949 Shirley married Grenes Marion Meisner and soon welcomed their three children Leslie Meisner, Peter Meisner, and Lyle Meisner Williams into the world.  She was graduated from McNeese State University in May 1964 with a B. Ed. Degree.  During these years she was married to Jack Hyde, and upon his death, to Jack Wayne Phillips.  Shirley later met the last and greatest love of her life, Charlie Achee.  She and Charlie lived in the Destrehan dream home they built together until his death in 2012.
 In her first career, Shirley was a teacher at St. Frances Cabrini Elementary School and later at T. H. Harris Middle School in Metairie.  She was a member of the Louisiana Teachers Association.  In 1977 she became a licensed real estate agent and broker with Sunbelt, Buccola-McKenzie, Gertrude Gardner and Prudential.  During more than thirty years of service Shirley helped hundreds of clients meet their residential housing needs in St. Charles and Jefferson Parishes.  She was a lifetime member of the Saints Board of Realtors, the Louisiana Association of Realtors, the Million Dollar Club with GRI and CRS designations.  She was also a member of the Professional Women of the River Region and the Professional Women of St. Charles.  Shirley was a devoted parishioner of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Kenner.
 A child of the Great Depression, Shirley maintained a positive view of life and held a deep love and gratitude for her family and friends as well as patriotism for her country.  She cultivated this atmosphere in those around her as well.  Shirley never faced a challenge that she did not overcome, even the untimely death of her daughter Leslie.  The surest way to focus her upon a goal was to tell her that it could not be done.  Shirley raised three children to become responsible adults.  She returned to finish college.  She built two careers.  She helped in building a half-dozen others.  She whitewater rafted in Alaska, walked the Great Wall in Asia, and toured the palaces of emperors, czars, and kings in Europe, and she gloried in the stories her children and grandchildren told her of their own adventures.
 Shirley is survived by her brother Richard and his wife Jean, her children Peter and his wife Helen Glancy as well as Lyle and her husband Mark Williams; and by grandchildren Melanie Meisner, Olivia Meisner, Madeline Meisner, Rachael Eads and husband Colt Noullet, Sarah Eads, and Theodore Mace and wife Ellie Beranich with great-grandchildren Serenity, Paisley, and Penelope the most recent additions.  She is fondly remembered by her stepchildren Barbara Achee Landry, Perry Achee, and their families.  Shirley’s departure is not complete until she has recognized the loving care and understanding of her sitters Louise, Jalisa, Mary, Ashley, Rose, and others.  Shirley and her family thank these wise women for the constant attention they provided to Shirley in her later years.
A Mass of Catholic Burial will be held at Tharp-Sontheimer Funeral Home, 1600 North Causeway Blvd. in Metairie on Tuesday, November 16, 2021 at 11:00 am. Visitation will begin at 9:00 am and continue until mass time. Interment at Garden of Memories Cemetery, 4900 Airline Drive in Metairie will follow immediately. Arrangements are under the care of Garden of Memories Funeral Home.

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