Shirley May Worcester

Shirley May Worcester, 91, died December 11, 2024, at the Graham County Hospital. A lifetime resident of Graham County, she was born October 16, 1933, to Vernon and Pauline (Walker) Worcester in rural Graham County. Shirley attended Rosco Country School and Hill City Memorial High School. Later she completed her GED.
In 1968 Shirley attended Kobler Center as one of the first clients, which included four adults and four adolescents. Her mother Pauline Worcester, along with Betty Johnson and Vesta Hoar, were instrumental in the promotion of Hill City as the site and construction for the Kobler Center facility.
Shirley was great at remembering historical events and when they occurred. She could tell you the name and birth date of every niece, nephew, great-niece and great-nephew – too numerous to name. She loved playing her guitar, which she pronounced "geetar". The last time Shirley played was in 2015, "Amazing Grace", strumming along with Ally (Derwin's daughter).
Shirley was preceded in death by her parents. Survivors include her brothers: Merlyn Worcester and wife Josie of Hill City, Allen Worcester of Larned, and V. T. Worcester and wife Thelma of Florida; sisters: Marlayne Pricer of Moore, Oklahoma, and Lesta Lou May of Ellsworth; and eight nieces, nine nephews, 17 great-nieces, 32 great-nephews, 62 great-great nieces and nephews, four great-great-great nieces and nephews.
Services will be held Monday, December 16, 2024 at the Hill City Christian Church, Hill City, Kansas at 10:30 A.M. Interment in Memorial Lawn Cemetery, Hill City, following the church service. Stinemetz Funeral Home, Hill City in charge of the arrangements. Memorials to Kobler Center, Hill City, Kansas.