Shirley J. Wilson

SHIRLEY JEAN WILSON, age 66, of 301 So. Geneva Street, Ithaca, NY passed away Saturday, April 4, 2009 at the Cayuga Medical Center at Ithaca, NY. Shirley was born Oct. 3, 1942 in Ovid, NY a daughter of the late Robert and Edith Houseknect. Shirley was a long time resident of Ithaca and had been employed at Park Outdoor Advertising as a bookkeeper and as a waitress in Wes’s Corner Diner. She was an avid seamstress and enjoyed her pet cat and as well as her electric scooter which allowed her to go to the public library. Spending time with online friends who were ill with emphysema provided her with encouragement to keep on living. She unselfishly gifted her remains to the SUNY Upstate Medical University for the training of Medical Doctors.

Survivors include her daughter, Annette Wilson of Ithaca, her son, Robert Wilson, Jr. of Elmira; four grandchildren, Cory Williams, Mia Redder, Jessica and Jordan Sawatzky. She is also survived by her dear friends, Jim and Marge Hovanec of Ithaca and her faithful cat, Lilly. She was predeceased by her ex-husband, Robert Wilson, who remained a friend.

Memorial services will be held at 10 AM Thursday, April 9, 2009 at the Perkins Funeral Home, 55 West Main Street., Dryden. Rev. Alan Kinney will officiate. There are no calling hours. Burial will be private. Friends may consider a memorial to the Tompkins County SPCA, 1781 Hanshaw Road, Ithaca, NY 14850.