Shirley Beatrice Segan

Glens Falls Shirley Beatrice (Cohen) Segan, 88, of Glen Street in Glens Falls, died on Friday, Nov. 23, 2007, after a long illness. Born in New York City on Feb. 16, 1919, she was the daughter of Maxwell and Anna Cohen. Shirley graduated from high school at 15 and, in college, studied art and fashion while working in New York. With her sister, Ruth, she volunteered as a local air raid warden during World War II. In 1948, she met and married Seymour "Sonny" Segan, with whom she had three children. She moved with her family to Glens Falls in December of 1961. In 1964, when Shirley was seriously ill with tuberculosis (from which she eventually recovered), her husband was forced to reconsider his occupation as a traveling salesman. Together, in the fall of 1965, they opened the first Jonathan Reid store. She worked in retail with her husband for more than 30 years before her retirement. Shirley and her husband were enthusiastic travelers, and made numerous and frequent trips across America and to Europe, Asia, North Africa and the Caribbean Islands. They were among the first Americans to visit China following its reopening. At home, Shirley and Sonny took classes in various subjects, with an emphasis on the arts, at Adirondack Community College and Skidmore College. Together they volunteered as docents at Glens Falls' Hyde Collection; they were named co-docents of the year in 2002. They continued to work at the Hyde until her illness prevented her from doing so. She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Sonny; her daughter, Risa; her son, Scott, and his wife, Zeidy; her son, Jonathan, and his wife, Phyllis; and her grandchildren: Anne, James and Hayley. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 26, at Regan & Denny Funeral Home, 53 Quaker Road, Queensbury. Memorial donations may be made to Temple Beth El, Glens Falls or to the charity of one's choice.