Birth: February 2, 1932
Death: August 16, 2025
Location: Lot 130, Section 4, Old Cemetery – SE
Shirley Jean Brittin Payne Obituary
Shirley Jean Brittin Payne
February 2, 1932 – August 16, 2025
Shirley Jean Brittin Payne, 93, passed away on August 16, in her Omaha home, surrounded by the loving care of her family, the staff at Pacific Springs Senior Community, and Tabitha Hospice.
Shirley was born on February 2, 1932, on a farm near Wood River, Nebraska, to Nelson and Mable Brittin. On the snowy day of her birth, her father drove a team of horses two miles to the highway to fetch the doctor, as the country roads were too deep with snow for a car to pass. When her parents purchased her grandparents IGA grocery store, the family moved into Wood River. Shirley had fond memories of helping in the store, especially on Saturday evenings when farm families would come to town and the store stayed open past midnight.
From an early age, Shirley displayed musical talent. She enjoyed singing and played the piano and violin. She earned a degree in Music Education from Hastings College and devoted 30 years to teaching elementary vocal music, most of them in the Council Bluffs, Iowa, Public Schools.
During her teenage years, Shirley met another gifted musician, Harold Harry Payne. They married in 1954 after graduating from Hastings College. Music remained a central part of their 68-year marriage. Both were public music educators and deeply involved in church music throughout their lives. Harry died in 2022.
Shirley was a remarkable woman who balanced many roles with grace. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother; a full-time teacher, and a skilled homemaker who created order, beauty, and warmth in her familys homes. She was also a gifted cook and enjoyed trying new recipes. We loved her Norwegian Kringla.
She and Harry shared a love of travel and enjoyed many trips across the United States and abroad. Shirley often planned these adventures and delighted in bringing her family along on several, including a memorable trip to Alaska celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.
Shirley was a lifelong member of the Presbyterian Church. The music of the choir, the congregational hymns, and a fine pipe organ, often played by her husband, moved her most profoundly.
Shirley will be remembered for her love of family, her high standards, her ability to create beauty, and the love of music she inspired in her students.
She is survived by her daughter, Leslee (Mike) OBradovich; her son, Kirk (Katherine Jo) Payne; grandchildren Kira OBradovich (Mario Valdivieso), Nicholas (Paige) OBradovich, Calla Payne Hyman, Hilary Payne (Jake Wachowiak), Elizabeth (Andrew) Payne Drish, Hannah (Hugh) Payne Foster; great-grandchildren Kai Kirk Hyman, Van Kirk and Callum Mark Wachowiak, Lila Jade Drish, and Nelson Payne OBradovich; her sister Ardyce Brittin Roumpf, her husbands twin brother Jerry (Pat) Payne, sister-in-law Darlene Payne, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
A Celebration of her life is scheduled for 11 am, Saturday, August 30, 2025 at the Presbyterian Church of the Cross, 1517 South 114 Street, Omaha, NE 68144, with a luncheon to follow. A graveside service will be held the next day at 1:30 pm, Sunday, August 31st, at the Wood River, Nebraska cemetery.