Obituary of Shirley Jean Skowronek

Amsterdam, NY- Shirley Jean Skowronek, 83, of Clizbe Avenue, passed away Wednesday afternoon, January 25, 2017, at St. Mary's Hospital in Amsterdam with her loving family at her side. Born August 25, 1933, in Amsterdam, New York, she was the daughter of the late George W. and Lena Sands Stark. She was a lifelong resident and in 1952 she graduated from the former Wilbur H. Lynch High School. Shirley was a homemaker who loved spending time with her family especially at their family camp on Great Sacandaga Lake. Shirley's family always looked forward to her cooking, especially her spaghetti sauce. It was an old Stark tradition carried on throughout many generations. She especially looked forward to Christmas where the whole family would gather to decorate and celebrate the Christmas season. Her flower garden was her pride and joy and she enjoyed shopping. Shirley was a parishioner of St. Stanislaus Church. On July 3, 1955 she married Clemens R. "Clem" Skowronek who passed away January 4, 2017 after 61 wonderful years of marriage. Survivors include her daughter, Elizabeth "Liz" Skowronek of Amsterdam; her son, Clement "Jay" Skowonek of Amsterdam; a brother-in-law, Walter Casabonne: a sister-in-law, Faith Stark; several nieces, nephews and cousins. Also her pet cats, Rosie and Lily. Besides her parents and husband she was predeceased by her dear son Michael Skowronek; three brothers, Harold, Richard and Kenneth Stark; five sisters, Thelma Winney, Dorothy Casabone, Norma Stark, Geraldine Kaczor and Florence Kazala. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 28, 2017, at 12:30 PM at the Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Avenue, Amsterdam with the Rev. O. Robert DeMartinis presiding. Private burial will follow at St. Stanislaus Cemetery in Amsterdam. The family will receive relatives and friends on Saturday from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made in Shirley's memory to GAVAC, PO Box 11, Amsterdam, NY 12010 or to the Montgomery Office for the Aging, 135 Guy Park Avenue, Amsterdam, NY 12010. Please sign the family guest book at www.brbsfuneral.com.