Shirley J. Holmes

Shirley J. Holmes, 91, of Claysville, PA passed away February 12, 2022, holding the hands of her loved ones, at Woodside Place of Washington, where she has resided for the past three years.  

She was born on July 29, 1930, in Washington, PA, daughter of the late Harry E. Hoffman Sr. and Ruth Wilson Hoffman Hicks Irey.

On November 12, 1955, in Winchester, VA, she married Edward L. Holmes Jr., who survives.  Ed visited Shirley on their 66th wedding anniversary and gifted her a dozen pink roses, her favorite.

Shirley and Ed spent their spare time traveling to all but a few of the 50 states, all by car or van.  They also made time to care for their three grandchildren Tiffany, Josh, and Ryan, and great-granddaughter Hailey.

Miss Shirley, as some would call her, spent her life taking care of people.  She worked as a nurse’s aide for several years, retiring from the former Kade’s Nursing Home in Washington.  

She loved flowers and spent every spring choosing, planting, and tending to her annuals on her back patio where they could be seen and enjoyed by many.  The watering of the plants, however, was not always a joy but she did it anyway.

Another passion of Shirley’s was cooking and baking, especially Christmas cookies.  Her family’s favorites were her meatballs and at Thanksgiving, it was her bread stuffing.  She always made sure everyone had enough to eat.  She collected boxes full of recipes and recipe books.

She loved old classic country music and she and her husband made several trips to places such as Branson, MO to see country artists in concert.   Although it wasn’t really a country song, one of her favorites was “How much is that doggie in the window” by Patti Page.  She loved to sing to her children when they were little and later in life to her grandchildren and great-granddaughter.  Another favorite was, “You are my sunshine”.

She was baptized at the age of 13 at the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Washington. After getting married, Shirley and Ed attended Third U.P. Church and the Church of the Covenant in Washington, and later the Dutch Fork Christian Church. 

Surviving in addition to her husband Ed is a son Kerry (Linda) Holmes of Avella; a daughter Susan (Mike) Burd of Taylorstown; a granddaughter Tiffany (Jordan) Reeves; two grandsons, Josh Holmes and Ryan Burd; a great-granddaughter Hailey McKean; and dear family friends, Sandy and Dave Cramer.

She was preceded in death by her parents as well as two sisters, Patricia McCue and Mary Lee Coneby; a step-brother Harry E. Hoffman, Jr.; and a son Randy Holmes.

Friends will be received from 1-3 p.m., the time of service, on Wednesday, February 16, 2022, at Young Funeral Home & Cremation Services Inc. 219 Main Street Claysville, PA 15323 (724) 663-7373 with Pastor Bruce Graff officiating, interment to follow at Washington Cemetery. The family asks those attending to please wear a facial covering.  Condolences may be sent to: www.youngfhinc.com.

The family wants to send their sincere thanks to the entire staff of Woodside Place of Washington and also to Gateway Hospice for their kindness and loving care of Shirley.  Memorial contributions may be sent to Woodside Place of Washington, 954 Redstone Rd., Washington, PA 15301 or Gateway Hospice, 95 W. Beau St., Suite 510, Washington, PA 15301.

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