Shirley Ferris, of Hornell
HORNELL, NY-Shirley M. Ferris, 76, of Mays Ave., passed away Wednesday morning (April 9, 2014) at Highland Hospital in Rochester.
Born in Rochester on April 27, 1937 she was a daughter of the late Dean and Evelyn Grohs McManis. On December 26, 1959 she was married at the West Avenue Methodist Church in Rochester to Rev. E. Robert Ferris, Jr. who predeceased her on Dec. 8, 2001 after 42 years of marriage.
A graduate of Rush-Henrietta Central School, Shirley completed under graduate studies at SUNY at Geneseo in 1958 and received her master’s degree from Alfred University in 1986.
Shirley and her family came to Hornell in 1979 when her husband became pastor of the former Spencer United Methodist Church on Canisteo St. After many years of substitute teaching for several school districts, she taught at the former St. Ann’s School in Hornell from 1985-1986. In 1986 she began her teaching career, of mainly fourth grade students, with the Hornell City School District at the Intermediate School, retiring in 2001.
She devoted much of her life to her husband’s ministry as well as to her children. Shirley was presently a member of the Hornell United Methodist Church as well as Sally Marquis, which is affiliated with the church. She was active in community affairs including, the Hornell Rotary Club where she served on the Board of Directors and became a Paul Harris Fellow, she was involved with Faith In Action, was a former member of the Board of Directors of Hornell Arts Council, a supporter of the Hornell Area Wind Ensemble, a member of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) and she also served as an Advocate for Arc of Steuben.
Shirley enjoyed quilting as well as attending concerts, musicals and plays. She especially liked attending productions at the Rochester Broadway Theater League (RBTL) and at the GEVA Theater and the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) where she was an annual subscriber.
Her loving family includes her two daughters, Susanna Ferris of Rochester and Nancy (Michael) Postilli of Hilton; her two sons, Timothy (Tracey) Ferris of Penfield and Jeremy Ferris of Hornell; her four grandchildren, Rachael and Jacob Ferris, Julia and Emma Postilli; her great-grandson, Ryan Ferris; her sister, Nancy (Al) Sweet of Rush; her brother, Alan McManis (Jay Rice) of Rush; her sister-in-law, Virginia (John) Williams of Plant City, Fla.; also her nieces, nephews and cousins.
The Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc. in Hornell is honored to serve the family of Shirley M. Ferris.
Relatives and friends are invited to meet her family at the Rush United Methodist Church, 6200 Rush-Lima Road where her funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday (April 15, 2014), with the Rev. Roger Reed officiating. Committal services and interment will follow at Pine Hill Cemetery, Rush.
Arrangements are with the Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc. in Hornell.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing may contribute in her memory to Arc of Steuben, 1 Arc Way, Bath, N.Y. 14810, Faith In Action, P.O. Box 117, Hornell or to Hornell Rotary Club, P.O. Box 415, Hornell, N.Y. 14843 Envelopes for memorial contributions will be available at the funeral home and church.
Online condolences or remembrances of Shirley are welcomed at www.bishopandjohnsonfuneralhome.com.
