Ms. Shirley Christian was born in Pittston, Pa., on Sept. 17, 1949, to Olga and Edward Christian. She was welcomed home by her Lord and Savior on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024.
Born and raised in northeast Pennsylvania, she graduated from Wilkes University and had a successful career at Diamond Manufacturing in Wyoming, Pa., where she retired. She was a devoted member of many churches throughout Luzerne County, where her beautiful voice would echo throughout the sanctuary. Music was Shirley’s passion, having sung for countless services, funerals, weddings, and much more over the years.
Shirley was extremely talented and creative. She would often take her grandchildren to farmers markets, garden centers, and craft stores. If she wasn’t canning, Shirley could be found in her garden or in her craft room sewing a beautiful new dress or clothes for her grandchildren. Her most prized pieces were the costumes she made for “the kids” during the Halloween season in 1999, Cruella de Vil followed by two little Dalmatian puppies.
For nearly two decades, Shirley and her partner, Tom, have lived on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. They loved animals and raised many dogs, but it was Shirley’s chihuahua, Darcie, who had a special place in her heart and brought her joy each day.
Shirley was predeceased by her mother and father, Olga and Edward Christian; brother, Robert Christian; infant sister, Rosalie Christian; and daughter, Mary Elizabeth Irizarry.
She is survived by her partner, Thomas Shrieves, of Melfa; grandchildren, Breanna Brown, and her husband, Alexander, of Berwick, Pa., Megan Mishefski, of Buxton, N.C., and her “little boy,” Matthew John Mishefski, of Edwardsville, Pa.; great-grandchildren, Clara Bretz and Camille Brown, both of Berwick, Pa.; and several nieces and nephews.
The family would like to extend their appreciation to the staff at Shore Health and Rehabilitation Center, as well as the loving nurses with hospice that comforted her throughout her final weeks.
A memorial service was held at the Williams-Onancock Funeral Home on Thursday, Dec. 19, at 2 p.m., with the Rev. Danny Shrieves officiating. The family received friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service. Shirley will be laid to eternal rest at the Mount Olivet Cemetery in Wyoming, Pa.
Contributions in Shirley’s memory may be made to the Eastern Shore SPCA, P.O. Box 164, Onley, VA 23418, www.shorespca.com
Memory tributes may be shared with the family at
www.williamsfuneralhomes.com
Arrangements were by the Williams-Onancock Funeral Home.
