Shirley Deusen

Shirley T. Van Deusen, 76, of Cobleskill passed away on May 25, 2007 at the Bassett Healthcare Facility in Cooperstown, succumbing to her recent battle with cancer.
She was a 1949 graduate of the former Cobleskill Central School District and furthered her high school education by attending several bookkeeping and accounting courses at SUNY Cobleskill.
Shirley was born in Carlisle, NY on May 19, 1931, one of 12 children born to the late Leo and Laura Tillapaugh. She was a lifelong area resident of the Carlisle and Cobleskill area. She was a trustee in the Eagles Aeries 2695 Auxiliary, an avid Republican Committee supporter, serving on numerous County and Town Republican Committees, and also served as Seward Town Clerk and until recently, was a member of the Town of Seward Republican Committee and a member of the Town Board of Assessment Review.
Shirley was employed by G.L.F. Petroleum and Becker's Mountain Dairy prior to becoming co-owner of Warnerville Body Shop, Inc. and T.S.T. Sales, Inc. with LeRoy Van Deusen whom she married on February 17, 1952.
Following her retirement from T.S.T. Sales, Shirley was head cook for Catered Affairs, a senior meals location and preparation center and until recently enjoyed making automotive parts deliveries for Countryman's CarQuest Auto Parts.
In addition to treasured time with her family and friends, Shirley enjoyed traveling, cooking and political service to her community. She received a neighborhood honorarium, being declared the "Neighborhood Mayor" by friends, neighbors, and relatives.
She is survived by three sons and their families: Douglas and Diana (Becker), Erin and Paul France; Lawrence and Jeannine (Wright), Marc and Sarah; and Jeffrey and Diane (Cleary) and their daughter, Sydney Zao-Lei. She is also survived by three sisters: Gladys McCan of Albuquerque, NM; Reba Vischer of Scottsville, NY, and Lois Beach of Newfield, NY, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Shirley was predeceased by eight brothers and sisters: Leonard Tillapaugh, Mabel (Bellinger), Irving Tillapaugh, Winfred Tillapaugh, Maynard Tillapaugh, Kenneth Tillapaugh, Irene (Hauser), and Floyd Tillapaugh.
Calling hours will be held at the Mereness-Putnam Funeral Home 171 Elm Street Cobleskill on Friday, June 1, 2007 at 10AM with an Eagles Aeries Auxiliary Service at 11 AM and then a Memorial Service immediately following with Rev. Jared van Wagenen IV officiating. Inurnment will follow at Carlisle Rural Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that remembrance contributions be made to the Marathon for a Better Life care of Cheri Stevens 218 Warner Hall SUNY Cobleskill, NY 12043 or in recognition of Shirley's affection for her pets, the Animal Shelter of Schoharie Valley P.O. Box 40 Howes Cave, NY 12092.