Shirley A. Coffey

Shirley Coffey of Plattsburgh, New York died peacefully on Thursday, May 29. She was 95 years young.

Shirley graduated from Dannemora High School where she began a life of mischievous fun and service to others. Early in her career, Shirley worked at Prudential Insurance and later as a religious education coordinator for Our Lady Of Victory Church. She married Richard (Dick) Coffey in 1952 with whom she raised four wonderful children. They were the light of her life.

She was a member of the Plattsburgh community for many decades. She had a zest for life that showed itself in her many activities. She founded the Irish Celtic Clan in 1986 ; taught Senior Fitness for 34 years and sang with the Sweet Adelines. She lived her faith by serving on the Board of Directors for Catholic Charities and the North Country Catholic newspaper. Shirley was also a eucharistic minister and trustee for St. John’s Church. Further, she volunteered at CVPH and at Eye Care for the Adirondacks. In 2020, Shirley was awarded, “Outstanding Contribution by an Older Adult” by Governor Cuomo.

To know Shirley was to love her. Her always upbeat attitude attracted people from all walks of life. She loved a good joke, appropriate or not, and started a routine where she would call people every full moon and howl. When she hit 50 people on her list, she created a waiting list to fill a spot once someone passed away. She always thought first of others – a caring and selfless individual.

Shirley is survived by her children: Tim (Sue), Pat (Sharon), Kathy (Vince) and Dan (Eileen), eight grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren, and her treasured companion, Art Momot.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, William Churchill and Loretta Bigelow, her husband, Richard (Dick) Coffey, her daughter, Susan and grandson, Sean.

Calling hours will be held at Brown’s Funeral home Thursday, June 5 from 4:00 PM-6:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father Vincent Flynn on Saturday, June 7 at St. John’s Church at 10:00 AM. Burial to follow at Mount Carmel Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in her name to St. Joseph’s Community Outreach Center P.O. Box 159, Morrisonville, New York 12962.