Shirley F Smith

SERVICE  UPDATE

The Funeral Service will be held on Friday at 11am at the E. B. Gormley Funeral Home

Burial immediately following in the Mt. Pleasant Rural Cemetery Rt. 28 Mt. Tremper.

Pine Hill-

     Shirley F. Smith, a beacon of warmth and wisdom, graced this world with her presence on August 25, 1936, in the peaceful town of Pine Hill. Her journey on earth came to a serene close on January 26, 2024, in Margaretville, leaving behind a legacy of love, laughter, and the scent of purple flowers from her cherished gardens.

Shirley, affectionately known as "Grandma" by her adoring grandchildren, was a woman whose very essence was interwoven with the threads of family and community. Her son, Dale Smith, and daughter, June M. Wright, stood as testaments to her unwavering devotion and nurturing spirit. Her grandchildren—Heather, Kerensa and her husband David, Kelsey and her husband Nathan, and Calvin James—were the stars in her sky, each of them carrying a spark of her indomitable spirit. Known as "Greatma" to her seven great-grandchildren, they were the joy that kept her eyes twinkling, even as the years added wisdom to her smile.

Shirley's journey was one of companionship and loss, having bid farewell to her beloved husband, James O. Smith Jr., in 1997. Her heart also held cherished memories of her brother, Douglas Merwin, and sister, Carol Truesdell, along with her parents, Clarence Merwin and Helen Price Merwin, who predeceased her and prepared the heavenly garden for her arrival.

A native and lifelong resident of the area, Shirley's professional life was marked by her meticulous work as a bookkeeper for A. H. Todd Automotive in Fleischmanns. She was the unseen hand that kept the wheels of the business turning smoothly, her dedication as unwavering as her integrity. Her commitment to her community shone brightly through her involvement with the Pine Hill Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary, where she served with distinction and a spirit of service.

Shirley's faith was her compass, guiding her through life's storms and sunrises. Her dedication to Bible study was not merely a habit but a source of strength and inspiration, a wellspring from which she drew the courage to face each day with grace. Nature was her sanctuary, and she found solace in the silent beauty of a snowstorm, each flake a reminder of life's unique journey.

Her favorite color, purple, was a symbol of the royalty she carried in her demeanor—a quiet elegance and a gentle authority. Shirley's flower gardens were a canvas of her soul, each bloom a verse of her life's poem. Her macaroni and cheese, a recipe woven with love and tradition, was a dish that brought her family together, a testament to the magic of her culinary touch.

Shirley Smith's life was not merely lived; it was a dance of resilience and joy. She was the matriarch of her family, a role she embraced with both pride and humility. Her legacy is a tapestry rich with the love she gave freely and the lessons she imparted through the simple acts of everyday life.

In Shirley's memory, let us walk through nature with eyes wide open, appreciating the quiet beauty that surrounds us. Let us gather around the table with loved ones, sharing stories and creating memories. Let us live with the kindness and steadfastness that Shirley exemplified, nurturing gardens—both literal and metaphorical—in our own lives.

Today, as we celebrate Shirley F. Smith, remember that her spirit is a light that continues to guide us. Her life was a reminder that each day is a gift to be unwrapped with joy, each challenge an opportunity to grow, and each encounter a chance to spread the warmth of our own human spirit. Let us carry her torch of love and live with the same courage and heart that she showed the world every day.

     The service to Celebrate the Life of Shirley is Friday at 11am at the E. B. Gormley Funeral Home.  Friends will be received on Thursday from 5pm to 8pm at the E. B. Gormley Funeral Home 87 Main St. Phoenicia.  Burial in the Mt. Pleasant Rural Cemetery.  You may share a special memory, photo, or condolence with the family on Shirley's Tribute Wall at www.gormleyfuneralhome.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Shirley F Smith, please visit our floral store.