Shirley Kahn

SHIRLEY KAHN Shirley Kahn passed away, Tuesday, January 24, 2006 after having a stroke last April. She was born in Haverhill, Massachusetts June 22, 1924. She had a love for dancing and roller skating. She met her husband, Stanley on skates and they married May 25, 1947. They continued to skate together for many years. Shirley continued skating until about 3 years ago. Shirley worked side by side with Stanley, never fearing hard work, in all their business ventures, from building their first house in Lindenhurst, New York. As her husband started building more homes in West Babylon, Shirley was the bookkeeper and the messenger for whatever was needed. Shirley and Stanley had a love for boating and fishing. One would find them out on their boat almost every weekend. From the building business, Shirley and Stanley bought and operated a boatyard with their family in Babylon, Long Island, New York. In February, 1969, they found a marina and restaurant in Boynton Beach, Florida where they moved their family and worked the business together. Shirley would hostess and wait on tables in the restaurant. After selling the Gulf Stream Marina, in Boynton Beach, the pair bought a motel in Fort Lauderdale, and shortly thereafter a restaurant in Pompano Beach. While operating the restaurant, Shirley and Stanley became interested in camping and bought their first motor home and started traveling around the state. Since that time they have bought other motor homes, and they have traveled throughout the states. In 1976, they bought the Fort Lauderdale KOA and worked there until 1984 when they purchased the Vero Beach KOA. Shirley was always there working in the convenience store and campground office. Though they sold the convenience store, Shirley and her husband, two sons and daughter continue to operate the Vero Beach Kamp. She also worked in the quilting store, Marilou's Quilting and Sewing Center, with her daughter and her husband. Shirley and Stanley had five children that she took care of while working together. And together they were very fortunate to travel and see most of the world. Shirley was a member of the Golden Rollers skating group, the American Legion Auxiliary, the Italian American Club Auxiliary, the Vero Beach Orchid Society and the Antique Car Club. Shirley is survived by her husband, Stanley of 58 ½ years, her children, Marilou Keen, (Vero Beach), Rosemarie (Ray) Lavoie (Deerfield Beach), James (Arlene)Kahn, (Sebastian), and Michael (Brenda) Kahn (Sebastian), and daughter-in-law Claudia Kahn (West Palm Beach). She is also survived by her sister Connie (Leo) Kodosky (Austin, TX), brother Carl (Mickey) LaPlante (Princeton, NJ), and numerous nieces and nephews. Shirley is also survived by 14 grandchildren, Michele and Melissa Keen, Raymond and Renee Lavoie, Stanley, Desiree, Tiffany and Stephani Kahn, Nadine, Madalyn, Michael and Joshua Kahn, and Jillian and Janielle Kahn. There is another grandchild due next month. She is preceded in death by her son William Kahn, who died of cancer in 2003, and her brother Ken LaPlante. A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, January 28, 2006 at 10:00 am at St. Helen Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Fort Pierce, Florida. Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 26, 2006 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm and Friday, January 27, 2006 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm and 5:00 to 8:00 pm at the Cox-Gifford-Seawinds Funeral Home. Contributions may be made to the Sheriff's Youth Ranch P.O. Box 2000 Boys Ranch, Florida 32064 Arrangements are under the direction of Cox-Gifford-Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory,Vero Beach, FL. Condolences may be sent through www.seawindsfh.com/obit.php.