Shirley M. Schaff

FORT EDWARD Shirley M. Schaff, 71, of White Birch Estates, passed away Friday, March 28, 2008, at her home. Born on May 9, 1936, in Whitehall, she was the daughter of the late Ernest and Lillian (Gordon) Webster. Shirley attended Whitehall school and worked as a waitress at the Plattsburgh Air Force Base, the Lake George Diner and Tower Pizza of Ticonderoga. Her life revolved around her family and she enjoyed the family BBQs for every occasion. She enjoyed OTB and horse racing, Cash Word Tickets, Professional Wrestling, the N.Y. Yankees, playing poker, and her brother's music with his band "Low Riders." She was one of the founders of PORT, Parents of Run Away Teens, and cut the ribbon at the opening of Save-A-Lot in Glens Falls. Shirley married Frederick W. Schaff Jr. on July 2, 1964, in Fort Edward. Besides her parents she was also predeceased by her sisters and brothers: Clarence "Red" Webster, Joan McDonald, Harriet Hildreth, Richard "Dick" Webster and Lillian Kretzer. Her sons-in-law, James Zanta and Kevin McCarthy Sr.; and best friend, Mickey Hill, also predeceased her. Survivors besides her husband of 43 years, include her children: Patricia J. Zanta of Hudson Falls, Jacqueline M. Shores and her husband, Edward, of Porters Corners, Frederick W. Schaff III and his wife, Dawn, of Hudson Falls, Tammy L. Gosline of Chicago and her husband, Daniel Gosline, of Fort Edward, William F. Schaff of Concord, N.H., Carol A. Cook and her companion, Joseph Dominy, of Fort Edward, Penny S. Fleeman and her husband, John, of Kingsbury, Alice M. McCarthy of Fort Edward, Jan Schaff and her companion, Shawn Lemery, of Argyle and Michael Schaff and his companions, Randall Sharlow and Mike Hudson, of Niskayuna; her grandchildren, Frank, Joseph, Shawna, Bridget, Tiffanie, Johnny, Edward, Lucas, Justin, Britney, Amber, Daniel Jr., William "Billy Joe," Taylor, Dakota, Kimberly, Savannah, Shawn, Jessica, Alisha "Leaky," Johnny, Kirstie, Kevin Jr., Brianna, Sierra; and many great-grandchildren; her sisters and brothers: Doris Olcott and her husband, Ronnie, of Ticonderoga, Ernest Webster and his wife, Joann, of Fort Ann, Geraldine McDonald and her husband, Stanley, of Whitehall, Annie Ritchie and her husband, Mike, of Hampton and Robert Webster and his companion, Amy, of Hudson Falls; her best friend, Teresa Whaley; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, March 31, 2008, at the M.B. Kilmer Funeral Home, 82 Broadway, Fort Edward. Besides The Post-Star Web site, e-mail condolences may be sent at our Web site at www.kilmers.com. Services will be conducted at 7 p.m. Monday at the funeral home with the Rev. Thomas Babiuch, pastor of St. Joseph Church, Fort Edward, officiating. Burial will be later in the spring in Greenmount Cemetery, Whitehall. Donations may be made in Shirley's memory to Moreau Emergency Squad, 1583 state Route 9, Fort Edward, NY 12828. A special thank you to the home health aide, Tanya Brouillette, for her help and compassion.

This obituary was originally published in the Post Star.