WEST KILL―Shirley VanValkenburgh, a lifelong resident of West Kill, passed away on October 19, 2026, in Florida, at the age of 87.

She was born on January 30, 1939, in Lexington, and she lived a life rooted in family, faith, hard work, and devotion to her community. Shirley was a woman whose steady presence and generous spirit touched all who knew her. She was known throughout her life as a warm and caring person who valued the sense of community and took great pride in the life she built alongside her loved ones.

Shirley was the beloved wife of the late Paul S. VanValkenburgh, with whom she shared 54 years of marriage. Together they created a strong and loving home, and she carried forward his memory with grace and devotion after his passing. She was also predeceased by her parents, Ferdinand and Marguerite VanValkenburgh Thompson, her sister Maureen McCullar, and her two great grandsons, Zachary and Paul. Her family was the center of her world, and she was deeply proud of the generations that followed her.

Surviving are her three children, Paul F. VanValkenburgh and his wife Sandra of Brooksville, Florida, Melinda Lee and her husband Willie of Catskill, and Lisa Scheffel and her husband Paul of Kingston. She is also survived by her brother, Wayne Thompson and his wife Ann of West Kill. Shirley leaves behind four grandchildren, Erica and her husband Anthony, Jennifer and her husband Gary, Will and his wife Trina, and Kiayra and her husband Gregory. She is further survived by eleven great-grandchildren, Alexis and her husband Joe, Robby, Riley, Abagail, Molly, Vincent, Benjamin, Charlie Grace, Everlee, Oaklynn, and Stella. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren lovingly called her Grammie, a name that reflected the affection and closeness they shared.

A native and lifelong resident of West Kill, Shirley was known for her dedication and reliability. For many years, she worked as a housekeeper at the Thompson House, where her strong work ethic and kind manner were appreciated by all who knew her. She was also gifted with many talents that made her home a place of comfort and welcome. Shirley had a green thumb and took great pleasure in tending both her vegetable and flower gardens. She was talented at sewing, and she was an excellent cook and baker who became especially known for her beautiful wedding cakes. She was the matriarch of her family, and she found great joy in hosting holiday gatherings that brought everyone together in laughter, love, and tradition.

Shirley’s life was also marked by service and involvement in the organizations and causes she cared about. She was a people person who valued fellowship and community, and she gave her time generously to many groups over the years. Her volunteer efforts included the Order of the Eastern Star, Johannes Hardenberg Chapter NSDAR, 4-H Leader, Town of Lexington Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary, Greene County Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary, Lexington-West Kill United Methodist Church, West Kill Ladies Aid, Lexington-West Kill UM Women, Lexington Historical Society, and the West Kill-Lexington Community Improvement Association. Through these many commitments, she helped strengthen the bonds of her community and left a lasting impression on those around her.

Shirley will be remembered for her kindness, her devotion to family, her faith, and her quiet strength. She lived a full and meaningful life, one shaped by love, service, and a deep connection to the place she called home. Her legacy lives on in the family she cherished, the traditions she nurtured, and the many lives she touched along the way.

A Service to Celebrate the Life of Shirley will be held on Tuesday, October 27 at 11 a.m. at the E. B. Gormley Funeral Home 87 Main St. Phoenicia with the Re. Mark Hamann as celebrant.  Burial in the WestKill Cemetery.  Friends will be received on Monday from 4-7 p.m. at the E. B. Gormley Funeral Home.  Memorials may be made to a charity of one’s choice.  

You may share a special memory, photo, or condolence on Shirley's tribute page at www.gormleyfuneralhome.com.