Shirley Ann Buchanan

Shirley Ann Schweitzer Buchanan, born June 27, 1935, passed away peacefully at Brookdale Norman, surrounded by her loved ones on October 21, 2025.

Shirley had a long and full life, from her time at THE Ohio State University, to her many years in Overland Park, KS (which she would gladly tell you about, no need to ask), to her move to Norman in 2003. Once in Norman, she moved to Summit Lakes Villas where she found the most wonderful neighbors who turned into the dearest of friends.

Shirley had bold opinions, great style, and deep, unshakable devotion to..Chick-fil-A chocolate milkshakes and Chico’s. She added her touch to her clothing labels by adding “SB 112” under the guise of the Brookdale laundry and they are now treasured by her daughters and granddaughters.

Shirley had many hobbies including painting, wood carving, book club, and her last passion was hooking...rug hooking to be exact. She loved to decorate. If you were ever confused on what season it was, you could go to her house and see different motifs. Her favorite season was Memorial Day through Labor Day full of red, white, and blue.

Shirley loved to visit, and, as her daughter Kris and nephew Kevin always said, if you were on a long drive, one call to Shirley would promise at least two hours of entertainment.

Shirley had the interrogation skills of a federal prosecutor. She could fire off questions for which there was no answer, like: “Why don’t they put their car in the garage?” and “How come that house has so many visitors?” She wasn’t afraid to say what she was thinking, including at 3:00 AM one morning after a trip to the Emergency Department for a fall: “I sure could go for a burger.” Many thought Kelley’s Instagram stories were made up, but they were all Nana, who could hit you with a zinger until her last days, even when her mind and body were starting to let her down.

Her family wishes to thank the staff at Brookdale Norman. There cannot be a better or more caring group and bless them for putting up with her sass, unsolicited advice, and obsession with not messing up her hair!

The world lost a free spirit. If you wish to honor Shirley, she would have appreciated donations to the Assistance League of Norman Operation School Bell.

Nana hated funerals, and we are quite sure would have really hated her own, so there will be a Celebration of Life at Benvenuti’s in Norman on November 8th, 2025, at 6:00 PM, complete with Pasta from Hell and at least one bottle of Barefoot wine, Shirl’s drink of choice.

Shirley is survived by her daughters, Kelley Butler and Kristen Fernandes, and her husband Christopher; granddaughters Katy Fernandes and Casey Werremeyer, and her husband Spencer; grandson CJ Fernandes; sister Marjorie Lower; nephew Kevin Lower, and his wife Laurie; and niece Kim Hoerger, and her husband John. She is preceded in death by her husband Robert Buchanan, her parents Delbert and Nellie Schweitzer, her son-in-law Harlan Butler, and her brother-in-law Robert Lower.