About This Memory Space
This page was created for Shirley Marco Kulwin's family and friends as a place to remember them, to share stories, and to keep their memory close in everyday life.
It is cared for and added to over time by the people who knew them, and everyone is invited to contribute, whether that is a story, a photo, a few words, or a simple note.
Many families visit places like this not just once, but again and again, especially on quiet days or meaningful anniversaries. This page is here for those moments, wherever you are.
A place to return to when you want to feel close again, to remember a moment, or to leave a few words for others to read. Over time, it grows through the voices of everyone who knew and loved them.
Light a Candle Growing
Light a candle to honor Shirley Marco Kulwin's memory. Each lighting keeps their memory burning bright for 23 hours.
Candle lit burns 23 hours. Come back and light it again after 23 hours to keep the memory burning.
Limited to 5 lightings per hour to prevent abuse.
Memory Wall Growing
Stories, photos, and memories shared by people who knew Shirley Marco Kulwin. This is the heart of this space—a collection that grows as more people contribute.
No memories posted yet. Be the first to share a story or memory.
Life & Legacy
Shirley Marco Kulwin crafted a vibrant life of athletic passion, financial trailblazing, and tireless community service, leaving an indelible mark on her family, friends, and the cultural fabric of Indianapolis.
Born in Champaign, Illinois, to Jack and Sadye Marco, Shirley grew up alongside her older sister Jewel M. Kurland, embracing an active childhood amid World War II. She dove into swimming at the Champaign Country Club, collected scrap for paper drives at her family's yard, and honed her golf skills as a dedicated young athlete. A natural leader, she served as Junior Class President at University High School in Urbana, cherishing lifelong bonds from those days and later earning the Max Biberman Award. Her college journey took her to Sophie Newcomb College in New Orleans, where she was Treasurer of Alpha Epsilon Phi Sorority, before transferring to the University of Illinois for a B.A. in Economics with a Political Science minor in 1956, plus a stint at pre-coed Harvard Summer School. Post-graduation, she sailed Europe on the SS United States, igniting a lifelong wanderlust that carried her worldwide—from South Africa's big game safaris to Cape Cod's crashing waves and Maui at 90.
Shirley's professional path shattered barriers in a male-dominated field. Starting with Marshall Fields' executive training in Chicago, she returned to Champaign for roles at a college bookstore, local bank, and Hurd and Clegg, sparking her stock market fascination—famously investing golf club money in Steak n Shake shares at age 10. Relocating to Chicago, she hustled interviews on LaSalle Street, landing a stockbroker position at Sincere & Company, earning commodities certification at the Grain Institute, and trading on the Chicago Board of Trade floor while writing investment pieces for an engineering publication. Later at Goodbody and Company, she married Herbert Kulwin in 1968 and assisted running Marco Steel after her father's 1978 passing. Post-sale, she managed the lighting showroom at Kulwin Electric Supply, all while pouring energy into civic roles.
Family & Loved Ones
Shirley's world revolved around nurturing bonds that spanned generations, from her devoted partnership with second husband Herbert—sparked by their mothers' friends—to her unwavering support for daughters Leslie Gould and Heather Kulwin. A mother who balanced ambition with tenderness, she earned son-in-law Jeff Gould's admiration for her respectful distance, while showering grandchildren Rachel (with Adam Baybutt), Jacob (and fiancée Diana), and great-grandchildren Eden, Jonah, and Sadye with FaceTime calls and photo treasures. Extended family, including nephews Ted and Steve Kurland, niece Marcy, and cousin Dr. Alan Hoffman, felt her inclusive warmth, as she befriended all ages without pretense.
Remembered by Friends & Family
Tributes from Shirley's circle capture a woman whose infectious energy and sharp wit lingered in every conversation, underscoring her role as a connector who bridged generations with effortless grace.