Obituaries
It is with heavy hearts that the family of Shirley E. Edwards acknowledges her peaceful passing on Saturday, October 26, following her physical decline after a stroke late last year. She was 80. Her keen intellect, memory, creativity, and care and concern for others were sharp until the end.
Shirley was born to the late Fay Viola (Hower) Engler and David Lloyd Engler of Nuangola Station, Luzerne County on September 16, 1944.
She moved to Wilkes Barre with her mother, after the passing of her father in 1956. She eventually attended E.L. Meyers High School where she was a cheerleader, sang in the choir, and played piano, organ, and violin. There she met Dale H. Edwards, at the age of 15. Dale was the love of her life. They were both actively involved in youth programs at Albright United Methodist Church, where they married in 1965. They were married for 47 years until his passing in 2012.
After graduation, Shirley worked for Bell Telephone where she was a telephone operator. Dale’s teaching and coaching career brought them to Catasauqua where they raised their family and many other children over the years including a total of six foster children.
As a young mother, she shared her time with organizations that supported her daughters. She was a Girl Scout leader and neighborhood chairman, a member of the Junior Woman’s Club, band parent, and led special projects at Grace United Methodist Church including summer bible school.
She was a talented seamstress who made the curtains for Grace Church. Her family delighted in the things she made for them, including that wide-lapeled, green, plaid, corduroy, three-piece suit that Dale wore to church and school through the 1970’s!
Shirley also enjoyed camping, crafting, cooking, playing cards with the Stines, cruising with Dale, and special times with family and friends.
When both girls entered school, she reentered the workforce as a Special Education Teaching Assistant for the Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit #21. She served for six years before beginning her college career at LCCC. In order to continue her devoted attention to her family, she took one class at a time every semester and summer session for six years before she exhausted the education curriculum and transferred to Kutztown University. In 1984, she graduated Summa cum laude with a B.S. in Special Education. Later, she earned her Master’s Equivalency with the State of PA. She served the Whitehall-Coplay School District as a special education teacher, until her retirement.
When her children were grown, she served her community in new ways. Shirley was a founding member, board member, past president, and treasurer for Catasauqua Community Partnerships and volunteered at their thrift shop and food bank. She was a member of the consistory at St. Paul’s UCC, Northampton. One of Shirley’s greatest joys was to send thousands of her beautiful hand-made cards to friends, family, and the shut-ins at St. Paul’s. Election days started early in the morning and continued until late at night in her role as Inspector of Elections for North Catasauqua. She expressed the hope of making it to election day, especially this year. In more recent years she served on the board of the Suburban North YMCA, where Katie danced.
She was an adoring Nana to Max and Katie, delighting in their accomplishments and keeping her friends apprised of their successes.
She orchestrated a move to Country Meadows Independent Living, after Covid. She knew she needed to be around people every day. When the apartment opened up across from the craft room, her family thought it was fate. She immediately became involved in teaching card-making workshops for her fellow residents; co-leading the elementary school pen pal project; and serving on the residents’ council. She made a slew of new friends there.
The family is grateful to Country Meadows and LVH Hospice for their compassionate care of Shirley. And especially for her good friends, Jacki, Betty, Lori, Michelle, and Janet, who continued to visit her in skilled nursing and did what they could to help her continue with creative projects to feed her mind and soul.
She is survived by daughters Dawn Edwards Fisher (husband Philip “Flip” Fisher, Jr), Heidi Lynn Edwards (companion James “Jim” Wittman Jr.), grandchildren Max and Katie Fisher, brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by half-siblings Lloyd Engler, Nathal Lynn Simpson, Lewis Lynn, and Carl Lynn.
A service in celebration of Shirley’s life and works will be held Saturday, November 23, at St. Paul’s UCC, Northampton. 10AM calling hour. 11AM service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Paul’s UCC, Northampton and/or Catasauqua Community Partnerships, via the funeral home. Online memories and condolences for the family may be shared at www.brubakerfuneralhome.com. Brubaker Funeral Home, Inc. of Catasauqua is entrusted with the arrangements.
To plant a tree in memory of Shirley E. Edwards, visit the Tribute Store.
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