Shirley Haber Sigelow

Shirley Haber Sigelow

Maitland, Fl. - Shirley Haber Sigalow, a Poughkeepsie native and long-time resident, passed away on November 30, 2018 at the age of 93.

Shirley was born on May 20, 1925 and was the youngest of the eight (8) children of Ethel and David Haber. Her father owned Haber's Toy and Juvenile Store on lower Main Street, where, beginning in 1924, he and his son Jack sold toys, bicycles and baby furniture to several generations of parents and children.

A member of the Poughkeepsie High School graduation class of 1943, Shirley attended Ohio State University and earned a bachelor's degree in social work. While at Ohio State, she met the late Dr. Murray Sigalow, whom she married in March 1948.

In 1950, while residing in Brooklyn NY, the Sigalows became proud parents of the late Ellen Sigalow Ansley. They moved to Poughkeepsie in 1953, where Dr. Sigalow, an optometrist, opened Lowe's Optical. Dr. Sigalow, along with his brother, Dr. Jerome Sigalow, practiced optometry on Main Street until his untimely death in 1985.

While residing in the top floor of 93 S. Cherry Street, Mrs. Sigalow gave birth to her son, David, on July 1, 1955.

Shirley Sigalow was a dedicated homemaker, wife and mother who loved her family, friends, Vassar Temple and the City of Poughkeepsie. Despite having traveled to the far corners of the globe - India, Japan, South Africa, China, the Soviet Union - nothing could replace Joe's Pizza of Riverview Field in her heart of hearts.

Shirley loved the performing arts and believed in an "experiential' life. After her husband's untimely passing, she continued to remain active in the Vassar Temple Sisterhood but found time for Elder Hostel trips and several extended visits to Israel, where she taught English.

The saddest aspect of being the youngest was that she survived her seven siblings, all of whom were also natives of Poughkeepsie - brothers Bill, Jack and Sam and sisters Anna, Edith, Goldie and Tillie. She cherished them, their children and their children's children.

Beginning in 1979, she was a "snowbird," wintering in Boca Raton and Sarasota, Florida. She became a full-time resident of Florida in 2008, but as her health and memory faded, spent the last six years in a memory-care facility in Lake Mary, Florida. Yet, even as her memory faded, she remained "in the moment," and held onto her ability to enjoy the small things in life as long as possible.

She is survived by her son David, his wife, Heather, their children, Martin and Alison and dozens, if not hundreds of cousins, second cousins, friends and those whose presence she touched over the years.

Services will be Monday, December 3, 2018, at 10AM in Vassar Temple, 140 Hooker Ave., Poughkeepsie, NY 12601. Rabbi Renni Altman will officiate. Burial will follow in Vassar Temple Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of the Wm. G. Miller & Son FH, Inc., 371 Hooker Ave., Poughkeepsie, NY 12603. If you wish to send an online condolence please visit our website at www.wmgmillerfuneralhome.com