Shirley Louise (Ackerman) Attridge
Shirley Louise (Ackerman) Attridge, 97, of Grove City, formerly of Harrisville, passed away on Tuesday in the Sunshine Way Unit of Orchard Manor, Grove City. She had resided there for the past four and a half years, benefiting from the loving care of the Sunshine Way staff.
Shirley was born March 12, 1920, in Scio, N.Y., to Magdalen (Hatcher) Ackerman and Lloyd Walther Ackerman.
She grew up in Belmont, N.Y., and graduated from the local high school there. She attended secretarial school and then obtained a job working for the Department of Public Welfare, County of Allegheny.
She married David Attridge in July of 1944. They divorced in 1969, and she never remarried. They had two daughters together. Dave died in 2009.
Shirley worked at Slippery Rock University as a clerk-steno. She served several vice presidents of academic affairs as well as the president of the university.
She retired from SRU and went on to do volunteer work at Victory Elementary School in her daughter's classroom. She also did work for her church and was the editor and publisher of the Harrisville HiLites newsletter for several years. She worked as a secretary for the former Harrisville Mobile Homes in Harrisville.
Shirley was a talented writer and artist. She took painting classes and wrote short stories and anecdotes. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years and assisted with projects and activities for both daughters.
She was active in her church, Church of the Epiphany Episcopal, in Grove City, where she sang in the choir. She was a member of the Bishop's Committee and served on the altar guild.
Shirley lived her faith, providing meals for shut-ins, transportation for those who had no vehicles and generally reaching out to care for others who were in need.
The family wishes to thank the staff of Sunshine Way, Orchard Manor, for the loving care given to our mother during the past years.
She is survived by her daughters, Cheryl Wild, (the Rev. Geoffrey M.), of Grove City, and Laurel McDowell of Steubenville; three granddaughters, Amanda (Leonard) Williams of Stoneboro, Kelly (Daniel) Skiviat of Steubenville and Daphne (Samuel) Pavlik of Canton; four great-grandchildren, Addison and Connor Skiviat and Audrey and Eleanor Pavlik.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and a brother, Charles William (Bill) Ackerman.
ATTRIDGE — Visitation with family for Shirley Louise (Ackerman) Attridge, who died Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2017, will be held from 10 a.m. until time of service on Monday at Church of the Epiphany, 870 Liberty St. Ext., Grove City. Service will be at 11 a.m. with her son-in-law, the Rev. Geoffrey M. Wild, as officiant.Burial will follow the service at Prairie Cemetery in Harrisville.A celebration of life luncheon will be held at the church, following the brief graveside burial service.Arrangements by Cunningham Funeral Home, 306 Bessemer Ave., Grove City.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Butler County Humane Society, 1015 Evans City Road, Renfrew, PA 16053; the Orchard Manor Activities Fund, 200 Orchard Drive, Grove City, PA 16127; or to Church of the Epiphany, 870 Liberty St. Extension, Grove City, PA 16127.For more information please visit www.cunninghamfhgc.com.
