Shirl Conway
Actress Shirl Conway, known for her role on 1960s series "The Nurses," died May 7 in Shelton, Wash. She was 90.
Born in Franklinville, N.Y., Conway attended the U. of Michigan and started out as a John Robert Powers model, appearing on the cover of Redbook Magazine. She also sang in nightclubs.
On Broadway, she appeared in Eddie Cantor's "Banjo Eyes"; with Carol Channing in "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes"; originated the role of Ruth Winters in "Plain and Fancy"; and toured as "Auntie Mame" in the U.S. and Australia in the late 1950s.
She appeared in the films "Helter Skelter" and "You Can't Fool an Irishman" for moving into television. On TV, Conway appeared in "Route 66," "The Defenders," "Joe & Mabel" and Sid Caesar's "Caesar's Hour."
From 1962-65 she starred as head nurse Liz Thorpe on the CBS Primetime drama "The Nurses," receiving an Emmy nomination for her role.
Moving to western Washington in 1972, she continued to appear on stage with the Seattle Repertory in the 1970s. She founded the Harstine Island Theater Club where she wrote, directed, produced and starred in productions into her 80s.
She is survived by a daughter, 5 step-grandchildren and 6 step-great grandchildren.
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