Shirley Jean (Perrine) Umstead

Shirley J. (Perrine) Umstead, 78, of Sandy Lake, PA, passed away on February 18 ,2025, after several years of battling dementia. Shirley was born to Clarence and Pearl Perrine on April 17, 1946, in Corry, PA. Shirley graduated from Lakeview High School before giving Polk Center over 30 years of service as a Medical Records Coordinator.

Shirley married the love of her life, David Umstead, on September 19, 1964. They enjoyed attending thousand of softball games and being incredibly invested in the community together.

Shirley served in many roles throughout her life. In her high school years, she was selected as one of the two best cheerleaders in the state of Pennsylvania to attend a specialized camp. She was also homecoming queen. She volunteered as a poll worker, she dedicated time to the fair; serving as advertisement and entertainment coordinator, setting up the Grand Cavalcade, and bringing back the Miss Mercer County Pageant: and she also assisted in restroom maintenance. In 2017, Shirley created a historical display celebrating the 150 year celebration of the fair, collecting over 500 pieces of memorabilia for it. Shirley served on the Board of Directors and volunteered refurbishing The Columbia Theater. She set up and put on numerous parades in Sandy Lake and Stoneboro, proud of how many people she brought in. Shirley spent many hours volunteering for Sandy Lake Fun Days.

She and David assisted in the formation of the G Turner Craig Park in Sandy Lake, and they were responsible for the creation of the Veterans Memorial. They saw a need and wanted to honor the local heroes who served their country. She was often seen at the memorial, being commonly referred to as “ The flower lady”, as she would take care of and plant all the flowers at the memorial. Shirley was a member of the Mercer County Historical Society as well as a genealogy buff. She took the time to research the Perrine and Winklevoss families back to the old country. Shirley was crucial to the 150 year celebration of Sandy Lake. She was also named as one of Sandy Lakes “ Wonder Women” back in 2022. In the same year, Shirley and Dave were named as King and Queen of Sandy Lake. Being a part of the founding family of Perrine’s Corners, Shirley would take care of the cemetery which includes graves from the 1800’s.

Shirley is survived by her husband and their daughter, Robin (Fred) Sasse and their children, Jazmyne (Derek) Shaffer and Jaeda Sasse. She is survived by her daughter-in-law, Tina Umstead, and her son, Hunter Umstead. Shirley also leaves behind her great-grandchildren, Adara Miller, Brooklyn Jones, Haley Matvey, Damien and Caden Mosier, and Leo Shaffer. Her brothers, Jerry (Linda) Perrine, David (Jenny) Perrine, and Ralph Perrine, as well as her sisters-in-law, Linda Hoffman and Barb (Doug) Greiner, and brother-in-law, John Krieter, will miss Shirley deeply.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents; an infant sister Janice; her stepfather, Ben Szeszko; her son, Jesse Umstead; and her granddaughter, Nicole Miller.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Rose and Black Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. 3236 S Main St. Sandy Lake, PA 16145. Calling hours will be held at Rose and Black Funeral Home- Sandy Lake from 1-5pm on Saturday, February 22. A funeral service will be held at 2 pm on Sunday, February 23, preceded with an hour of visitation.

Interment will be held at Oak Hill Cemetery.

Online condolences may be made to the family at rosefh.com