Obituary of Shirley Ann Arraiz

Our dear mother, Shirley Ann Arraiz, 88, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on May 20, 2024.

Born on August 18, 1935, she was the daughter of the late Jacob J Myers Sr. and Ethel Mae (Dudrey) Myers and had two older siblings, Dorothy and Jacob J Myers Jr.

As a child, Shirley spent much of her time with her grandparents, uncles, and aunts on the family farm. In her High School years, Shirley was big in theatre, plays and music, graduating from Pine Bush High School. She pursued teaching thereafter earning a degree at Oneonta State College.

Shirley became a young mom who raised four girls by herself with help and support from her loving mother Ethel, in a small community where all the neighbors were like one big family. It was a space in time where we shared very fond memories of our Mommy and Gramma and went on many exciting family outings to the zoo, swimming spots and picnicking. Shirley had a wonderful loving relationship with her mother whom she later cared for in her final years, which has taught us the value and knowledge of caring for our mother in her final years.

She was very artsy and creative and used that talent as a means to earn extra income for the household. Some of her creations were crocheted lace doilies, decorated soap, beaded necklaces, little jewel boxes, to name a few. She also bred and raised Siamese kitties, which we all enjoyed immensely. With her creative mind and artistic talent, she taught us girls to do the same and to be strong-willed.

Shirley decided to take a different career path as her girls became older and pursued a profession in financial management at Orange County Plumbing Supply Co. as an account manager. She enjoyed the professional work environment, which led her to meet her future husband Alfred S Arraiz Sr., whom she had been married to for 43 years. Together, they made a great team and formed a plumbing & heating business that they operated for the next 30 years. 

She enjoyed her family and looked forward to cooking huge meals for holidays and birthdays where everyone gathered and made memories. Summertime was her favorite with BBQ grilling, adding her garden veggies and pool time was a staple of entertainment. She was the matriarch of our family and brought us all together.

Shirley did eventually achieve her dream to teach and spent the last 10 years of her working career running a successful daycare service from her home and was known to all for her role as "Gramma Cookie",  where she shared her crafty talents and love for music playing her organ (as well as giving a cookie) with all the children that came into her home, and after many years of laughs and giggles, she retired.

Her retirement years were spent traveling the east coast with her husband in their RV and they had many adventures, including their love for camping, stock car racing and following their favorite driver, Brett Hearn. They met many new friends along the way and traveled to various destinations until they decided to buy a home and settle in the state of Florida where they moved into a very nice retirement community.

During their years in this community setting, Shirley was a member of the Red Hat Society, a social organization for women. She also involved herself in the many shows and theatrical productions offered within as well as participated in sports activities and enjoying her favorite activity of all, relaxing and reading a good book in a lounge chair by the pool in the sun. Shirley and Alfred also had a lovely church family where they were active members; She loved listening to Father George's mass, he spoke wonderful homilies.

After her husband Alfred passed away in 2015, Shirley moved to NY to be closer to her family, but she was still able to spend winters in Florida where the family gathered for lots of fun. In NY she participated in the family’s seasonal ice cream and mini golf business as well as helped with estate sales. Upon moving to NY, with Shirley’s devotion to the catholic faith, she became a member of the Church of the Holy Spirit in Gloversville NY.

She is survived by her four girls, Pamela A MacCarthy-Ueda of Palm Bay, FL, Debra A (Jim) Pierce Of Fort Pierce, FL, Wendy A Arraiz (Robert J Insognia Jr.) of Gloversville, NY, and Bonnie A (Joseph) Pistone of Middletown, NY, three step-sons, (two predeceased), daughters-in-law, Gayle and Peri, a sister-in-law, Elizabeth (Betty) Arraiz Leake (Henry) of Fishkill, NY, several grandchildren and great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, as well as dear friends and extended family, Claudia and Robert J Insognia Sr., and a big thank you to her Caretakers and loving friends, Darlene Muzzy of Ballston Spa, NY and Beverly Scott of Port St. Lucie, FL.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 9 to 10am on Tuesday, May 28th at the Church of the Holy Spirit, 153 S. Main St; Gloversville, NY, where a Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10am with the Rev. Matthew Wetsel officiating. Interment will take place in the afternoon at New Prospect Cemetery, Pine Bush, Ulster County.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Betz, Rossi, Bellinger & Stewart Family Funeral Homes, Gloversville. Online condolences to Shirley's family may be made by visiting brbsfuneral.com   

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Alzheimer’s Association/Help fight Alzheimer’s at http://act.alz.org