Obituary of Shirley G. Lavery

Shirley (Grace) Lavery transitioned to the Lord Our God on December 1st, 2018 to be with her Husband Craig W. Lavery of 57 years.  Shirley was born on November 27^th, 1934 in Cherry Valley, NY to Charles and Mae Dare.  Born the second of four girls, Shirley had three sisters: Dorothy Bush (Art), Marilyn Stone (Norm) and Carol Ashley (Bob).  Shirley’s mother and father had multiple vocations and owned many businesses throughout their lives in and around the Gloversville area. 

Shirley graduated from Nathan Littaur Nursing School as a Registered Nurse (RN) in 1955.  Shirley began her RN career at St. Clare’s hospital in the operating room and worked in various nursing capacities at St. Clare’s hospital until she met Craig.  Craig and Shirley were married in 1957 and began a family.  Shirley began her career at Glendale Nursing Home in the spring of 1971.  She worked at Glendale Nursing Home for many years eventually becoming head nurse of B2 North.  After working at Glendale for 27 years Shirley retired on February 9^th, 1997.

Shirley was tremendously blessed to have bore four children: Wesley C. Lavery (Tina), Ellen D. Lavery (Paul), Todd A. Lavery (Wendy) and David C. Lavery (Erica).  Shirley and Craig’s first three children were all born within four years of one another while in their twenties.  When they were in their early forties, Shirley was once again blessed to have bore David, nineteen years after their first child.  From the moment Craig and Shirley had their first child, they made their children the center of their universe.  Craig and Shirley made it their responsibility to ensure their children knew their grandparents.  Almost every weekend, while their children were young, Craig and Shirley made it their duty to bring their brood to one of their parents for Sunday dinner.  The children have many fond memories of spending time with their grandparents enjoying Sunday dinners.  Additionally, Craig and Shirley made it their responsibility to ensure their children attended church weekly and knew the Lord Our God.  While wanting them to know the love of God, they also allowed them to make their own choices once they reached adulthood.  Thankfully, the values instilled by their parents during their youth guided their children throughout their lives.  Shirley and Craig were extremely blessed to have five grandchildren, three from Wes and Tina Lavery: Neil, Thomas and Rachael-Kate; and two by Dave and Erica: Elizabeth and Sean.

Craig and Shirley loved spending time at their camp on Mayfield Lake with their children.  Shirley was a member of the “Peacemakers” quilting group making many gorgeous quilts such as a king-size “Around the World” quilt (quilters now the difficulty of that pattern) and many more quilts still enjoyed today.  Shirley also loved making crafts, gifts and table centerpieces, which she made for special occasions such as Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter.  She often made them to place on the tables at Glendale during the holidays; she loved making the holidays special for the inhabitants of Glendale Nursing Home.  She was very proud of her “Girls” (her fellow nurses at Glendale) and how hard they worked in very difficult surroundings.  Shirley enjoyed volunteering and chairing the church craft sale and church bazaar and was an active member of a bible study group at Scotia United Methodist Church until she moved to St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Scotia where she was ministered to by Father Michael Neufeld, Mother Ellen Neufeld and Deacon Ray Rockwell until the end of her life.

One’s life cannot be described by a few words on a page.  However, one word that portrays Shirley’s life is love.  Shirley loved her husband, loved her children and grandchildren.  She loved her family, friends and co-workers.  She loved her vocation and giving back to others.  But most of all, Shirley Loved the Lord our God with all her heart, and with all her soul, and with all her mind, and with all her strength.

The family would like to give thanks to all the staff at Ingersoll assisted living facility in Niskayuna, NY, where Shirley resided for many years prior to residing at Glendale Nursing Home.  The family would also like to thank The Community Hospice of New York for their loving care at the end of Shirley’s life.  The family would also like to give special thanks to all the nursing, administrative and support staff at Glendale Nursing Home, Glenville NY, especially the nurse and support staff on Mohawk Trails Unit.  Their care and devotion was, and is, truly amazing.  We thank the Lord for all the love they provided her and our family during this most difficult time.  Unfortunately, there are too many names to personally thank each and every one of you, but you all know who you are and the value you provide on a daily basis.  God Bless each and every one of you.

Calling hours will be at Glenville Funeral Home located at 9 Glenridge Rd. on December 5th, from 4 – 8pm.  A full mass celebrating Shirley’s life will be held at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, located at 50 Sacandaga Rd. in Scotia on December 6th at 9am; interment immediately following at Park Cemetery in Scotia.  In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Alzheimer’s Association or The Community Hospice of NY. Online condolences www.glenvillefuneralhome.com

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