Shirley W. Kailianu

Shirley W. Kailianu passed away on Thursday, April 3, 2025 at Mallard Bay Care Center. She was born December 7, 1943 in Cambridge to the late Rosalie M. Arnie and Franklin Darcy Arnie. Shirley was a 1962 graduate of Cambridge High School and received a BS degree in mathematics from the former Salisbury State Teacher’s College (Now Salisbury University).

Shirley had been employed as a cashier at the Colonial Store from age 16 until her graduation from college. For the next 31.5 years she taught mathematics at Cambridge Jr. High and Cambridge South Dorchester High School. She retired on January 1, 1998 and accepted a position as an administrative assistant at the Dorchester Chamber of Commerce until December 2006.

On December 23, 1983 she married Delano K. Kailianu. In 1995, they formed and operated Tidewater Motorcoach, LLC until retiring in 2013.

Shirley was a former member of the Cambridge Quota Club and organist at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church. In 2005 she joined Faith Baptist Fellowship and served as pianist and treasurer.

Shirley is survived by her husband Del, a brother, James M. Arnie of Odenton and a former refugee student, Tri Truong and wife Quinn of Falls Church, VA.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, April 11, 2025 at 11am at Faith Baptist Fellowship in Cambridge with Rev. Randall T. Blackmon officiating. Interment will follow at East New Market Cemetery. Family will receive friends on hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Faith Baptist Fellowship, 1312 Race Street, Cambridge, MD 21613.