Shirley Lillian (Warner) Mann, 78, of North Blenheim, New York, passed away on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. Shirley was a breast cancer survivor and battled for many years, losing to cirrhosis of the liver. She left us peacefully on a warm spring afternoon, in her home, surrounded by her loved ones.
Shirley was born in her home in the town of Broome on July 13, 1945, to George and Eudalia (Plankenhorn) Warner, who predeceased her in death, as did her sister Nellie. She graduated from Gilboa-Conesville Central school in 1964 and went to work at The Harva Company in Schoharie, leaving upon the birth of her first of three children. Her role in life then became a homemaker, raising her three children, with her husband, on the family farm. Shirley was a wonder woman of sorts, tending to the needs of her children, helping to milk the cows, feeding the revolving door of employees on the farm, all while managing to keep the house intact. Once Shirley knew she had done her part raising her children, she went back to work at The Harva Company for a total of twenty years. Shirley was also co-owner, with her sister Elizabeth, of The Country Roads Bridal Boutique. She was a woman loved by all, known to many for her world winning smile. She knew when you needed a hug, but she was also known to sling a frying pan at you if she saw fit. Shirley went to multiple County fairs to watch the tractor pulls with her husband, and always enjoyed the fair foods. Shirley also loved traveling in their camper. And when home, she enjoyed the simple things in life, like sitting in her chair reading and doing word searches. After retiring she got to spend time watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Shirley is survived by her loving husband of 58 years: Robert H. Mann; her three children: Susan (George) Singer, Robert (Barbara) Mann and David (Amelia) Mann, as well her four siblings: Elizabeth (Claude) Coons, Helen (Lawrence, Jr.) Cummings, Andrew (Dayna) Warner, John (Pam) Warner and her brother-in-law: Daniel Moore
Shirley was not only a wife, mother and sibling, she was also a grandmother and great-grandmother. She has left her memories with her grandchildren: George (Nicole) Singer, Nichole (Daryn) Costello, Kevin Mann, Donovan Mann, and Tyler Mann. Her memory will also carry on through her great-grandchildren: Olivia, Kailyn, Lucas, Caysen, Brentley; along with many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, nephews and extended family members.
A funeral service in celebration of Shirley’s life will be held at 12:00PM on Saturday May 11, 2024 at Coltrain Funeral Home, LLC, 134 River Street Middleburgh. Interment will follow in Breakabeen Cemetery. All are invited to a visitation with her family from 6:00-8:00PM on Friday, May 10, 2024 at the funeral home.
Shirley’s family asks that memorial donations be made to Helios Care, 297 River Street Service Rd, Oneonta NY, 13820 or the Office of the Aging, 113 Park Place Suite 3, Schoharie, NY 12157 and the family would like to thank both agencies, including Cory, Nancy and Lisa for helping care for Shirley, as well as family, friends and the private caregivers that allowed the family to keep her in her home. And a special thank you to Connie, who not only cared for Shirley but became a close friend to the family.