PRESTON – Shirley Degear, 78, life long resident of Preston, passed away Sunday morning, Nov. 26, 2006 in the Chenango Memorial Hospital.
Shirley was born Aug. 11, 1928 in Smithville Flats, the daughter of Harry B. and Muriel Johnson Nicholson. She had made Preston her home since the age of 9 months and continued living on the family farm all other life. She had attended school in Preston through the 8th grade and had thought very highly of Hazel Slater, who taught in the Preston school district. Shirley continued her education in the Norwich schools and graduated from the Norwich High School. On Aug. 16, 1951, she married Charles Herbert Degear, who survives. Over the years Shirley had been employed by the Chenango County Chamber of Commerce, the Credit Bureau and was a 28 year employee of NBT where she worked in the credit department.
Over the years Shirley was very active in her community and was a charter member of the Preston Fire Dept. Auxiliary. Following her retirement she and her husband spent many winters in Florida where they enjoyed meeting up with their friends. They also enjoyed camping and traveled in many states east of the Mississippi and were members of the Bullthistle Chapter of the NCHA of Chenango County.
Shirley is survived by her husband Charles “Herb” Degear, her son and daughter-in-law Glenn and Connie Degear, all of Preston, her Aunt Ruth Johnson of Preston and her cousins; Sonny and Stuart Johnson, Joyce Blackman, Julia Bartle and Josephine Johnson.
Shirley was predeceased by her parents Harry and Muriel Nicholson and her brother, Ronald H. Nicholson.
Funeral services for Shirley will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday from the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home. The Rev. Jeremy Stopford will officiate.
Interment will be at a later date in the J.D. Lewis Cemetery of Preston.
Friends may call at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at 11 a.m.
Please consider memorial contributions to the Preston Volunteer Fire Dept., c/o William Ahearn, 205 South Road, Norwich, NY 13815 with checks made payable to the Preston Fire Dept. or to the Preston Fireman’s Auxiliary, C/0 Julia Bartle, 3322 State Highway 220, Oxford, NY 13830 with checks made payable to the Preston Fireman’s Auxiliary.