Shirley Ann Breitenbach

Shirley Breitenbach, beloved mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend, passed away peacefully on June 12, 2025, surrounded by family.

Shirley was born in Pittsburgh, PA, on May 11, 1942, the daughter of the late Walter and Helen Galehan. She married the love of her life, the late William “Bill” Breitenbach, and together they raised three children - Bill, Bryan, and Karen. Shirley and Bill moved from Sewickley, PA, to Cary, NC, in 1989, where they lived for 30 years before relocating to Flemington, NJ to be closer to their children and grandchildren.

Shirley had an unwavering love for her family and took great joy in time spent with them, especially her grandchildren Emma, Will, and Noah, cherishing every moment and creating lasting memories. She also shared her love and care for nearly 20 years, running her in-home daycare where she touched the lives of many children and formed lasting friendships with the families she served.

She was a friend to everyone she met. People were drawn to her kind spirit, warm smile, and infectious laugh. Shirley treasured the lifelong bonds she kept with childhood friends and built cherished, lifelong friendships in her church community. She was always there to listen, offer support, and celebrate life’s joys and challenges alongside those she cared about.

Shirley and Bill sought out many adventures into their golden years. whether they were hiking and biking with friends in the Appalachian Mountains, on a river cruise in Europe, exploring the Grand Canyon, parasailing in Hilton Head, or simply taking their daily walks, they enjoyed sharing everything side by side, often holding hands - a simple gesture of their enduring love.

Shirley is reunited in heaven with her beloved husband of 60 years, William E. Breitenbach, who passed in 2023, and her son, Bryan Breitenbach, who passed in 1997. She is survived by her children, William Breitenbach and his wife, Nancy, of Flemington, NJ, and Karen Breitenbach of New Hope, PA, and by her beloved grandchildren, Emma, Will, and Noah.

A celebration of Shirley’s life will be held on October 4, 2025, in the Flemington, NJ area. Exact location and time to be announced.

Cremation services were held privately under the direction of the Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, NJ 08822.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital by clicking the link below.

For further information or to send an online condolence, please visit www.holcombefisher.com.