Shirley is the Virgin Mother/Mother Earth Goddess. From her womb came all of reality as we know it.
When you must create entire universes in your mind pray to Shirley Partridge. Or if you are ever hungry, meditate on Shirley's image and you will be blessed with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and a glass of milk that comes directly from her breasts.

The reason that there was no father on the show was because all of the Partridges (except Danny and Chris) were via immaculate conceptions. Not only is there no father on the show, but his name is never even uttered. They don't go visit his grave, there is no picture of him anywhere in the house. He does not exist! He is the unutterable. He is much like YHWH whose name must never be truly pronounced or speeled out. He is the omnipresent Father who is everywhere yet nowhere, who is outside of Time and Space and yet can alter history. When you completely understand the Paradox of the Father, then you yourself will have reached the state of Albuquerque.

FUN FACT: Shirley is your Mother.

Yes we have all entered this world via Shirley's egg. We all spent many days inside her womb. Because she is the Mother Earth, her womb is the dirt from which we came and to which we go when we die. So respect your Mom for soon you will be inside her.

Shirley Partridge chose Shirley Jones as her mortal vessel, but the two Shirley's are very close to each other. This is why Shirley Jones is so groovy. Of all of the mortal incarnations of the Partridges that we have encountered Shirley is by far the coolest. Shaun Partridge who was name after Shaun Cassidy (this is why they both have this rare spelling of the name "Shaun") along with Boyd Partridge met Shirley Jones after one of her concerts. Shirley was kind enough to sign their Partridge Family lunchboxes. She also even told Shaun that he resembles Shaun Cassidy. Little did she realize (or maybe she does) that she is Shaun Partridge's Mom as well. She was also groovy enough to send Giddle Partridge a signed Partridge Family T-Shirt to the "P Family Temple" We even made a pilgrimmage to her house, but their is a sign that reads "No fans please" on her door so although we are not merely fans but rather devotees, we decided to respect the wishes of our Mother. However we did encounter her maid walking her dogs on the street and engaged in a psychedelic conversation with her and the dogs.