Shirley A. Scharf

Shirley A. Scharf, 81, of Winthrop, NY, passed away peacefully, Friday, December 28, 2018, at the home of her son and daughter-in-law, William and Shirley Scharf, North Lawrence, NY.  Shirley was surrounded by her loving family, under the care of Hospice.

Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m., Friday, January 4, 2019 at Hammill Funeral Home, Winthrop, NY.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, January 5, 2019, at Brasher Falls United Methodist Church with the Reverend James Foote officiating.  Burial will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery, Lawrenceville, NY.

Shirley was born in Burke, NY to James and Mildred Flint on February 7, 1937.  She attended Brushton, Moira and Massena High Schools.  After graduating from Massena Central, Class of 1955, she married Clarence (Ben) Scharf on June 25, 1955 in Brushton.  She was a home-maker for her 6 children, and worked as an election inspector for many years at the Municipal Building in Winthrop.  She was a confirmed member of the Moira United Methodist Church, and attended the United Methodist Church in Brasher until her passing.   Shirley was involved in the Eastern Stars, representing Ruth, from The Book of Ruth.  She was the picture of beauty in her long gowns and long white gloves. In her younger years, she was a majorette in high school, and also enjoyed figure skating with her children in Brasher.  Shirley loved her Saturday night dance nights with Ben, as they loved to jitterbug.  Shirley also attended line dance classes for years in Brasher.  She and Ben enjoyed square dancing on weekends, with friends in Massena.  Shirley was an accomplished seamstress and took pride in making her own square dance dresses, as well as quilts and school clothes for her children.  Through her night vocational classes in Norwood, she became an accomplished wedding cake decorator, and also made both her daughters’ wedding cakes.  Shirley and Ben built their summer camp at Lake Ozonia in the 1960’s, which the family enjoyed for decades.  Shirley also enjoyed gardening, canning, cooking, and baking.  She is most famous for her great recipe for donuts, and her delicious hamburger/macaroni soup.  Shirley was an avid bowler, and enjoyed the Birthday Club lunches with her sister, Ruthie.

As the family matriarch, Shirley was described by her children as a very humble, funny, happy-go-lucky woman, with a heart of gold. 

Shirley is preceded in death by (her husband, Ben, and her brother, James Flint. 

Shirley is survived by 4 sons, and 2 daughters, Austin (Margie), Watertown, NY; William (Shirley), North Lawrence, NY; Robert (Jeanette) Philadelphia, NY; Ben (Antoinette) Canton, NY; Carolyn Dowdle (Patrick) Winthrop, NY; Barbara Scharf, Camillus, NY; 2 sisters, Ruth Worden, Massena, NY; Dorothy St. Amand, Virginia; 1 brother, Ross Flint, Florida; 6 Grandchildren: Eric Scharf, Wendy Corcione, Brandon Scharf, Sierra Mink, Matthew Dowdle, Sarah Hoag; and 7 adorable great grandchildren. 

Memorial donations may be given to The United Methodist Church, Tri-Town Rescue Squad, Massena Memorial Hospital, and Hospice and Palliative Care of St. Lawrence Valley.

Memories and condolences can be shared with her family at www.hammillfh.com.