Obituary of Shirley J. Sherwood

Shirley J. Sherwood, 83, of Hornell, NY, formerly of Jasper, passed away quite suddenly on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 at St. James Hospital in Hornell. Shirley was born in Hornell on July 14, 1941, the daughter of the late Earl and Helen Walters Brownell. She was a graduate of Jasper Central School. Following high school, Shirley attended beauty school in Elmira. On November 15, 1969, Shirley married LaVern J. Sherwood in Canisteo, NY. LaVern preceded her in death on May 15, 2018. Shirley, as a young woman, was employed by Westinghouse Electric in Bath. She later was the site coordinator for the Meals on Wheels program at the Jasper Senior Center. She than became a licensed realtor and was associated with the Audrey Clauson Agency. Shirley enjoyed crocheting and knitting and was often heard saying to her loved ones, “just go dig in the yarn closet, find the colors you want and I’ll make you a blanket”. She was often seen driving her station wagon town-to-town in search of the best yard sales and auctions around, or heard yelling “Bingo!” at the local bingo halls. Shirley enjoyed having a flow of company in the home; often times as one party was leaving, another party was entering. During their retirement years, LaVern & Shirley frequented the casino’s where her luck at the slot machines seemed endless. Family and friends alike will remember her for her many colorful, and witty words of wisdom, which she gave freely, even when you didn’t ask for it. Shirley had also been an EMT with the Jasper Fire Department ambulance. Surviving are her children, Bonnie (Ed) Wall of Hornell, Debbie (Red) Stone of Rathbone, James (Reba) Sherwood of Cameron Mills and Deanne (Mike) Bailey of Bath, 14 grandchildren, several great and great-great grandchildren, special friend, Jacqueline Willis-Mitchell who cared for Shirley for 5 years, brothers, Stanley Brownell and Walter (Wyanne) Brownell and several nieces and nephews. Besides her husband, LaVern, Shirley was predeceased by her son, Earl J. “Jody” Sherwood on October 13, 2015, her brothers, Claire Brownell, Merle “Bill” Brownell and Earl “Bud” Brownell and sisters, Delores Stuart and Pauline Ashbaugh. There will be no services at this time. Shirley will be laid to rest in Woodhull Cemetery. Arrangements are with the H.P. Smith & Son Funeral Home in Woodhull.