Pepperdine University Mourns the Passing of Shirley Boone
Shirley Boone, longtime friend of Pepperdine University and benefactor of the Boone Center for the Family along with her husband, Pat Boone, passed away on January 11, 2019. She was 84.
“Shirley Boone was one of Pepperdine’s great champions,” says Andrew K. Benton, Pepperdine University president. “Her sweet spirit and strong, steadfast faith were the driving forces behind her inspiring partnership with Pat. Together they were dedicated to many important causes, and their resolute belief in Pepperdine was one I am truly honored to have witnessed. I am proud to have called Shirley a friend and am comforted by the ways in which her generosity and dedication to serving the Pepperdine community will continue to positively impact generations of students.”
Shirley, the daughter of Red Foley, a country singer of the 1930s and ’40s who became a star with his recording of "Chattanooga Shoe Shine Boy," and Pat Boone, who would soon become a star in his own right, met as students at David Lipscomb High School in Nashville, Tennessee. Shirley and Pat were married at White’s Creek Church of Christ soon after graduating, both at 19 years old, and were married for 65 years. Their mutual love of music and the faith that anchored their families would define their lives.
Within the first four years of marriage, the Boones catapulted from a life of anonymity and limited means to one of nationwide fame and surprising wealth—a life which suddenly included four daughters and bustling New York. Shirley attended nursing school, and, although he had already established himself as a Tennessee singing sensation, Pat enrolled in college, setting his sights on becoming an English teacher and minister. Neither Pat nor Shirley could have anticipated the international stardom that soon would change their lives. Through Pat’s ascent to fame, Pat and Shirley held fast to their deep commitment to each other and to God. Shirley held a deep passion for philanthropy and played an integral role in establishing Mercy Corps, a global humanitarian organization that empowers people to recover from crisis, build better lives, and transform their communities for good. She also published writings, hosted TV shows, and recorded music.
Pepperdine attracted the Boones’ attention nearly 50 years ago when they first moved
to Los Angeles and began worshipping at the Inglewood Church of Christ. Friends of
former Pepperdine president Norvel Young before their move to California, the Boones
soon befriended Pepperdine Chancellor Emeritus Charles Runnels and his wife, Amy Jo.
Pat was invited to join the Pepperdine Board of Advisors, and throughout the years,
the Boones remained closely linked with the University. Shirley served on the exploratory
committee that led to Pepperdine’s move to Malibu and Pat is the longstanding chair
of the University Board comprising business, civic, and community leaders. He and
Shirley have supported the Pepperdine School of Public Policy for many years and are
founding board members, namesakes, and benefactors of the Boone Center for the Family,
which was established in 1997 and named after them in 2007. In 2017, as another affirmation
of their commitment to enriching the lives of students and serving the needs of the
Pepperdine community, the Boone Special Collections and Archives at Payson Library
was established, housing a collection of unique physical artifacts ranging from medieval
manuscripts to 20th-century film reels.
“Shirley and Pat together carried a love for the family that was undying,” says Sharon Hargrave, executive director of the Boone Center for the Family. “Believing strong families build strong societies, Shirley would call us to be faithful in our programming and in our prayers for the family at our advisory board meetings. She believed students at Seaver College should learn about healthy relationships because she believed good relationship skills were among the best gifts we could give a Pepperdine graduate. She was passionate about helping Christian leaders grow and learn about how Christ calls us to live in relationships well. The legacy she leaves at the Boone Center for the Family at Pepperdine by her beliefs and by how she lived family life is one of hope, commitment, vision, and love.”
Shirley is survived by her husband, Pat; their four daughters, Cherry Boone O’Neill, Lindy Boone Michaelis, Debby Boone, and Laura Boone; and 16 grandchildren, including Pepperdine graduates Ryan Corbin (’99) and Casey O’Neill (’08).