Shirley H. Brinkerhoff

FUNERAL HOME

Etzweiler Funeral Home

1111 East Market Street

York, Pennsylvania

Shirley Brinkerhoff Obituary

DOVER Shirley Hughes Brinkerhoff, 56, died at 4:10 p.m. Fri day, March 13, 2009, at Manor Care Health ServicesSouth. Born, August 7, 1952, in Glen Willard, Pa., she was the daughter of Gilbert Hughes of New Mexico and the late Dolores (Bialowas) Hughes. Shirley was employed as an author and editor for the Association of Baptists for World Evangelism in Harrisburg. She spoke at numerous writers' conferences throughout the United States and mentored many young authors. Shirley was an accomplished author. She authored many books including a series called the "Nikki Sheridan Series". She received a B.A. from Grand Rapids Baptist College and an M.A. in Piano Performance from Western Michigan University. She was a member of York Alliance Church. In addition to her father, Shirley is survived by her former husband, Mark Brinkerhoff of New Jersey; a daughter, Melanie and her husband, Geoff Brock of Clarks Summit; two sons, Marcus and his wife, Catrina Brinkerhoff of Nashville, Tenn., and Ryan Brinkerhoff of York; four grandchildren, Wil Haley, and Suzanna, Abigail, and Geoffrey Brock; and a sister, Jeanne and her husband, Rick Lowenhaupt of Round Rock, Texas. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday at York Alliance Church, 501 Rathton Road, York, with Pastor Timothy Shuey officiating. A visitation will be held from 12 noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday at the church. A private burial will be held at the convenience of the family in Mount Zion Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Shared Hope International, P.O. Box 65337 Vancouver, WA 98665; or to Association of Baptists for World Evangelism "Compassion Fund", P.O. Box 8585, Harrisburg, PA 17105. The Etzweiler Funeral Home, 1111 E. Market St., York, is in charge of arrangements. www.etzweiler.com

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Published by York Daily Record on Mar. 15, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Shirley Brinkerhoff

14 Entries

Lori and John Sokolowsky

March 27, 2009

Our former Clarks Green neighbor. An inspiration and testimony to so many. We were blessed to have you as our neighbor and friend. May you walk the streets of gold, pain-free forever. Blessings to all your family and friends.

Stephen & Janet Bly

March 22, 2009

We were so saddened to learn of Shirley's losing the battle against her cancer. She had often e-mailed notes saying she was praying for us, even as we prayed for her. May her memory and her writings continue to give God glory. Many blessings of comfort and grace to those dear friends and family left behind.

Barry and Sarah Phillips

March 18, 2009

Shirley and Ryan were virtually neighbors for quite a while. Our girls enjoyed watching Ryan when he was in elementary school in the afternoons until Shirley could get home from work. Sometimes, they fed and walked the Brinkerhoff dog while they were away. I often prayed for them after they moved when I walked by where they used to live. Ryan, I will be praying for you now, on my walks on Clark and Hall Streets.

Shirley's piano playing at the Montrose Christian Writers' Conference ministered to me during some dark days in our lives. She encouraged me in my writing. Her example and smile when her life's circumstances were far less than ideal will always inspire me to press on, "looking unto the Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith."

Our prayers are with you all.

Ethel Herr

March 18, 2009

My dear, dear Shirley, how I do miss you already. But I thank God for giving you to me as a friend all these years. Your smile, your laugh, your incredible sense of humor at a time when most folks would resort to weeping instead, will remain a permanent part of my memory. The witness of your long fight with the cancer monster has taught me much and played a role in helping me launch my own fight these days. How can I ever forget the almost whimsical way you told us about your days, even when you were anything but comfortable?
I especially loved it when Ellen and I stopped by to visit you each year. You were the perfect hostess in spite of unbearable heat and your own weakness and pain. I remember the salad on a Sunday afternoon. What all did you put in it? I just remember it was yummy. And watching you interact with Ryan was a joy. The fact that he became our friend meant a LOT to us both. Especially last year when we had dinner with him one night when you couldn’t join us. You raised a wonderful young man, there. May God be praised!

Traveling will not be the same this summer.

My prayers join the hundreds or thousands of others for your family left behind with their memories. May they always think of your Jesus when they take to missing you. And may they love Him devotedly as you showed them how to do.

With love and fond memories of my own,
Ethel Herr

Marlo Schalesky

March 18, 2009

I met Shirley when Ryan was just 6 and she was still living in Santa Barbara. We met at the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference and became instant friends. I love her humor, honestly and deep faith. I will miss her!

Brenda Nixon

March 17, 2009

Sorry for the family's loss and grief but celebrating Shirley's graduation to heaven.

Ellen Cohen

March 17, 2009

Shirley was a contageous human being...no matter how bad things seemed to be, she could make you feel as though everything would still be okay, amazingly enough! Each of the last number of summers, my writing partner, Ethel Herr and I would go to spend a day or two in York with Shirley, and Ryan, thinking to bring Shirley some cheer and Ryan a couple of ears to listen if he needed or wanted to talk; and invariably, we were the ones who walked away with the blessings that oozed out of that household...And when Ethel was diagnosed with some cancer of her own, Shirley became the picture she held out in front of her--her template for how one might handle such a thing with grace and equanimity. I must say that between the two of them--Shirley and Ethel, I've been humbled.

I will miss Shirley, terribly--her wonderful smile and her laughter; her humor, her curiosity...her Ryan!...well, her everything...things will have been a lot better with her a part of them. RIP; my friend...

Melanie Dobson

March 16, 2009

Shirley was a wonderful author and an absolute delight to work with! It has been a joy to connect with her over the years, and I know she will be missed by so many who loved her.

Ricky Speed

March 16, 2009

Many thoughts and prayers from the Speed family, Nashville,Tn.

BJ Hoff

March 16, 2009

Shirley was an inspiration to many, with her unfaltering faith, her courage, and her warm and caring spirit.

Larry and Patti Souder

March 16, 2009

Shirley is a sweet soul sister who enriched our lives beyond measure with her sparkling wit and wisdom, her artistic excellence in word and music, and her courageous exuberance for life in the midst of great adversity. She loved and mentored so many of us so well that we know we are accompanied by a great host who think of her as one of the best friends and greatest gifts God ever sent our way. We will miss her deeply . . . even as we rejoice with her in this new adventure into eternity.

Death is an enemy that brings great sorrow, but it’s a defeated enemy. We sorrow, but we also rejoice because Shirley is home with her Savior. If we listen with the ears of eternity, we can hear her singing and laughing with an overflowing, irrepressible joy that points us to the day when all of creation will rejoice in God’s glorious redemption.

May God hold each member of Shirley’s family and each one who loved her dearly close to His gracious heart in this time of grieving her death, and may He fill us anew with His marvelous Spirit who dispenses hope in the midst of sorrow.

Angela Hunt

March 16, 2009

Shirley was a glowing testimony to her Lord and savior, Jesus Christ. Our prayers will be with her family in the months ahead.

Wes Merritt

March 15, 2009

She was a good friend of our son and daughter in law Ray and Ginny.

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