Obituary of Shirley J. Baird
Shirley J. Baird, 86, of Sayre, PA, surrounded by her loving family passed away on Saturday, May 4, 2019 at Robert Packer Hospital, Sayre.
She was born on January 29, 1933 in Oaks, PA, the daughter of the late Alfred G. and Elva Fitzgerald.
Shirley graduated from Harford High School and continued her education at Robert Packer Hospital, where she obtained her Nursing Degree. She was employed with Robert Packer Hospital and Sayre House, prior to her retirement.
Her priority was always her family. Shirley was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. During William's time in the Navy, they were stationed in Bermuda their love of travel continued by visiting across the United States, taking many family camping trips, until his passing. The family's love of the beach took them back to Ocean City, MD, Cape May, NJ, and Sea Isle City, NJ several times a year where she loved riding the ferry boats. Shirley was always open to new adventures and journeys, one of which was a trip to Ireland with her children.
Shirley volunteered for many years at the Red Cross Blood Drives and at the Libraries for the Literacy Program. Throughout her life, she had many pets and enjoyed and loved every one of them. She was an avid reader, loved the challenge of Crossword Puzzles, and shopping.
She was predeceased by her husband, William H. Baird in 1998 and her brothers Karl Fitzgerald and Donald Fitzgerald.
Shirley is survived by her children, Jeff Baird and Stacey Scholl of Fountain Hill, PA, Scott and Lisa Baird of Sayre, PA, and Lori and Doug Clark of Syracuse, NY, grandchildren, Ashley and Travis McKinstry of Syracuse, NY, Kyle Baird and Quyen of Hanoi, Vietnam, Courtney and Ethan Sexton of Towanda, PA, Brittany and Ron Myers of Sayre, PA, Ryan Baird of Northampton, PA, and Harper Sarah Grey Clark of Syracuse, NY, great-grandson, Maddox and Baby Sexton that she was looking forward to meeting. She is also survived by her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Hugh and Gretchen Baird of MA and their family, Bridget and Mark and their children, Tyler and Erica and their children, and Bryan, niece, Pam Bandali, and all of the Fitzgerald clan, special caregiver, Pat Bennett, and her faithful neighbors and friends who always helped in so many ways, Paul and Annie Kremer and Michelle Smith.
Family and friends may call on Friday, May 10, 2019 from 12pm-2pm at the Jay E. Lowery Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 225 South Main Street, Athens, PA. Funeral Services will follow at the funeral home at 2pm.
Burial will follow in Tioga Point Cemetery, Athens, PA.
Memorial donations may be made in Shirley's memory to: Stray Haven, 194 Shepard Road, Waverly, NY 14892 honoring Shirley's love of animals or the Sayre Library, Elmer Avenue, Sayre, PA 18840 to help continue Shirley's compassion to help stamp out illiteracy. The family wishes to thank the 2nd Floor ICU Staff, the Nursing Staff at RPH, and all who cared for our loved one at Sayre House during her illness, you were wonderful to our loved one and we will always remember the care and compassion that she received.
