Shirley L Curry

Shirley Louise Curry, 84, of Lancaster, passed away November 30, 2023, at home under hospice care and with loved ones. She was the wife of the late George F. Curry, Jr. for 42 years until his passing in 2001.  Born in Elizabethtown, she was the daughter of the late Bernard C. ‘Ace’ and Dorothy M. (Philips) Jacobs. A 1957 graduate of Elizabethtown High School, she excelled in mathematics and was Head Majorette in the Band.

A homemaker and caregiver most of her life, Shirley also exercised her eye for fashion, something she and her mother had enjoyed together. She enjoyed managing clothing consignments for Next to New Fine Clothing, Lancaster after raising three children and before devoting herself to the care of her late husband during his untimely debilitating illness.

Shirley’s kindness, sweet smile, and sense of humor endeared her to others, and she won the hearts of those helping care for her in her final days, as well as those whom she had cared for while working for the former Special Care of Lancaster before retiring.

A member of the First Baptist Church, Shirley loved the Lord, sang in the choir, and participated in Lay Witness Missions.

Having a green thumb, especially for flowers, she also nurtured relationships with meals out to catch up with friends or family, preparing comfort foods and baking cookies. She avidly followed sports, especially Phillies and Yankees baseball, countless Little League games over the years, and was surprisingly up on college football, wrestling and basketball. A beach lover and seashell collector, she relished time spent in Myrtle Beach, SC.

Family meant so much to Shirley. Well-acquainted with loss, she didn’t dwell on it. With a fun-loving spirit and keen affection for ‘little ones’ through the years, she embraced the simple moments that bring joy and laughter to life.

She is survived by her daughter Sherry, wife of D. Scott Bunting of East Earl; nine grand-children, Adam (Brandi) Bunting, Ryan (Vanessa) Bunting, Robin (Landon) Messner, Nathan and Daniel (Heather) Henkel, Matthew, Julia, Ryan and Scott (Madison) Curry; 10 great-grandchildren Connor, Mason, Melanie, Bella, Grace, Dawkins, Colton, Triston, Dayton and Brinston; daughter-in-law Amy Curry, son-in-law Christopher Henkel, and many dear cousins, nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her son Michael Curry in 2018 and daughter Denise Henkel in 2019.

Her life will be celebrated with 10 a.m. visitation and 11 a.m. service Thursday, December 7 at DeBord-Snyder Funeral and Crematory, 141 East Orange St., Lancaster. Interment will follow at Mellinger Mennonite Cemetery. Flowers are welcome or consider giving peace and joy to others in Shirley’s memory with a contribution to a church, hospice, caregiving or spiritual ministry of your choosing.