Shirley graduated as a registered nurse from the Arnot Ogden Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in Elmira, New York in 1948. In 1951 she married Joseph K. Reed, Jr., a physical therapist with the Veterans Administration and later with the United States Public Health Service. The couple lived in various locations throughout the country, including New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Massachusetts, California, Louisiana, and Hawaii. Shirley worked as a nurse, primarily in newborn nurseries, where she loved rocking the babies during her night shift.
The couple retired to Pensacola, Florida in 1984. After her husband’s death, Shirley moved to Atascocita in 2013 to be closer to family.
Shirley was an avid gardener and bird watcher and an enthusiastic bicyclist. With her husband, she logged over 21,000 miles riding in the United States and overseas in England, Austria, Switzerland, France, and Italy. Shirley and her husband were active in the churches they attended in their various residences. During retirement, she was an active member at First United Methodist Church, Pensacola, and Atascocita United Methodist Church.
Shirley is survived by her sister, Muriel Spring of San Jose, California, and her children Diann Reed Fulmer (Richard) of Atascocita, Texas, and Susan Reed of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She has one grandchild, Jason Voth (Laura) of Ewa Beach, Hawaii. She is also survived by a dozen nieces and nephews.
Shirley was preceded in death by Joseph, her husband of 60 years, her parents, and her two stepsisters, Betty Kellaway and Ann Wheeler.
The family gives heartfelt thanks to the staff of Rosemont Assisted Living and Memory Care community and to the staff and faith community at Atascocita United Methodist Church for their many kindnesses.
A memorial service will be scheduled later at Atascocita United Methodist Church. Burial will be in Hope Cemetery in Corning, NY.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Shirley’s name to Atascocita United Methodist Church or to a charity of their choice.
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