Obituary of Shirley R. Strouse

Shirley Alma Reece Strouse was born to Allen Reece and Charlotte Caldwell Reece just off of Reece Road in The Forties, New Ross, Lunenburg County, Nova Scotia, Canada. She had a happy childhood with her dad, a Cooper who built apple barrels, an important industry to the area. At the age of 17 she accompanied her sister Pearl to "The States" with intentions of returning to New Ross. However, it was not long before she moved in with Aunt Bessie, found a church where she was happy and met the love of her life, Whitey. She made it a point to return "Home" every summer to visit her beloved Canadian family, only now as a naturalized American citizen, a Yankee. After trying several different vocations, one notably as a Top-Secret typesetter during the second World War, you would find her most content working alongside her Aunt Hazel and the rest of the family. She ended her career as a Bookkeeper for her Aunt's Thoroughgood Nursing Home, retiring at the age of 65. Second to only the Lord was Shirley's family. She and Whitey were overjoyed to be blessed with a daughter, Debbie Lynn. Then after 6 "long" years of marriage, Debbie and Son-in-Law Steve gave Shirley and Whitey what they wanted most – a grandson – Hunter. During their retirement years they traveled a bit, but again, the Lord and her family, especially Hunter, was who she spent her time with and cherished. Years later, Hunter's little brother Grant arrived, and she had two little boys to love and devote her life to. After Whitey's passing in 2000, alongside her dearly loved extended family, she was blessed to have the ladies from her Church to spend time with as well as her next-door neighbor, who shared her love and compassion for animals. Shirley faced many hardships, health wise, but the Lord was not ready for her until Good Friday, the 2nd of April, 2021. However, knowing the Lord would never leave her nor forsake her, she faced her many challenges with a smile and a kind word. She enjoyed her later years listening to her Bible audio books, spending time with family and caring for her cats. The last couple of years were the most difficult, but the Lord even blessed her with a wonderful Hospice Team that included Christine, Amy and Bridget Bazarbashian, the team leader. One of the happiest days of Shirley's life was when "The Last Wish" program enabled Bridget to take her to Hunter and Jackie's wedding in August 2020. Shirley, Aunt Shirl, Hon-Bun, Mom and Mum-Mum will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. Memorial service will be held at 11am on Thurs., June 17th at McCausland Garrity Marchesani Funeral Home, 343 S. Chester Pike, Glenolden PA with burial immediately following at Edgewood Memorial Park in Glen Mills, PA. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Calvary Independent Baptist Church, 716 Amosland Road, Morton PA 19070