Shirley Marie Crawford Stelz - The words “well done, thou good and faithful servant” surely resounded throughout Heaven as our beloved Mother, Shirley Marie Crawford Stelz passed from this life to the next at the age of 87 on August 26, 2014. Born on February 3, 1927 in New Windsor to the late William and Anna (Farley) Crawford, she lived her entire life in the Hudson Valley. She graduated from Newburgh Free Academy in 1945. While working for New York Telephone Company, she met her one and only true love, Gerard Stelz, just recently had returned from military service. In a blizzard, they were wed on January 25th, 1948 at St. Francis of Assisi RCC. For several years they made their home in Beacon and in the early 1960’s they built their home in New Windsor where they raised their children. Together they were the most generous parents anyone could hope for. Gerard predeceased her in 1982. As a member of St. Francis for most of her adult life, Shirley was actively involved with her parish and its school for many years. She remained a daily communicant until her health no longer allowed. Blessed with a strong work ethic and desire to serve others, she served the Town of New Windsor as a Court Clerk and along with her husband she was an active member of the New Windsor Lions Club. Later in life, she enjoyed the many friendships she made during her years as a member of the Ladies AOH of Cornwall. Always looking for life’s next adventure, she enjoyed traveling and was particularly fond of the ocean, however, her greatest joy was being with her family and friends. She is survived by her beloved children, Gerald P. ‘Skip’ Stelz of CA and his son, her adored and only Grandson, Zachary; her daughter Lisabeth Ann Stelz Riach and devoted son-in-law John D. Riach of the Town of Newburgh; her nieces and nephews and their spouses and their children and families in New Hampshire, California, Florida, and Ireland. She is further survived by her childhood friends Connie Rocco and Mary Barton; and her extended Riach, Coyle, and Moriarty-Scheinert families. She was blessed and privileged to have shared and participated in the lives of Allison and Chris Scott and their sons Tom and Carter; Stephanie and Stephen DellaCroce and their children Charlie and Rose; Vanessa Coyle, John, Kate and Bridget Scheinert. Alzheimer’s is a long term, life altering disease that one cannot endure alone. Her daughter would like to thank her physicians Dr. B. Hadid, Dr. John Hughes, and most especially her former primary care physician, Dr. Eugene Schreiner and his staff for his medical guidance, kindness and compassion to her and his gift of friendship as we endured the journey. Visitation will be held from 10 to 11 am on Saturday, August 30 at Brooks Funeral Home, 481 Gidney Ave., Newburgh. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. William Scafidi at 11:30 am on Saturday, August 30 at St. Francis of Assisi Church, Newburgh. Burial will follow in the family plot at Cedar Hill Cemetery, Newburgh. Mom fought her disease with grace and humanity, courage and dignity. The journey of Alzheimer’s takes an immeasurable toll on one’s heart, but we praise God for the gift of her presence in our lives all these years. We now pray for her peace and eternal rest and that the cure for this wretched disease will be close at hand soon.
Shirley Marie Crawford Stelz - The words “well done, thou good and faithful servant” surely resounded throughout Heaven as our beloved Mother, Shirley Marie Crawford Stelz passed from this life to the next at the age of 87 on August 26, 2014. Born on February 3, 1927 in New Windsor to the late William and Anna (Farley) Crawford, she lived her entire life in the Hudson Valley. She graduated from Newburgh Free Academy in 1945. While working for New York Telephone Company, she met her one and only true love, Gerard Stelz, just recently had returned from military service. In a blizzard, they were wed on January 25th, 1948 at St. Francis of Assisi RCC. For several years they made their home in Beacon and in the early 1960’s they built their home in New Windsor where they raised their children. Together they were the most generous parents anyone could hope for. Gerard predeceased her in 1982. As a member of St. Francis for most of her adult life, Shirley was actively involved with her parish and its school for many years. She remained a daily communicant until her health no longer allowed. Blessed with a strong work ethic and desire to serve others, she served the Town of New Windsor as a Court Clerk and along with her husband she was an active member of the New Windsor Lions Club. Later in life, she enjoyed the many friendships she made during her years as a member of the Ladies AOH of Cornwall. Always looking for life’s next adventure, she enjoyed traveling and was particularly fond of the ocean, however, her greatest joy was being with her family and friends. She is survived by her beloved children, Gerald P. ‘Skip’ Stelz of CA and his son, her adored and only Grandson, Zachary; her daughter Lisabeth Ann Stelz Riach and devoted son-in-law John D. Riach of the Town of Newburgh; her nieces and nephews and their spouses and their children and families in New Hampshire, California, Florida, and Ireland. She is further survived by her childhood friends Connie Rocco and Mary Barton; and her extended Riach, Coyle, and Moriarty-Scheinert families. She was blessed and privileged to have shared and participated in the lives of Allison and Chris Scott and their sons Tom and Carter; Stephanie and Stephen DellaCroce and their children Charlie and Rose; Vanessa Coyle, John, Kate and Bridget Scheinert. Alzheimer’s is a long term, life altering disease that one cannot endure alone. Her daughter would like to thank her physicians Dr. B. Hadid, Dr. John Hughes, and most especially her former primary care physician, Dr. Eugene Schreiner and his staff for his medical guidance, kindness and compassion to her and his gift of friendship as we endured the journey. Visitation will be held from 10 to 11 am on Saturday, August 30 at Brooks Funeral Home, 481 Gidney Ave., Newburgh. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. William Scafidi at 11:30 am on Saturday, August 30 at St. Francis of Assisi Church, Newburgh. Burial will follow in the family plot at Cedar Hill Cemetery, Newburgh. Mom fought her disease with grace and humanity, courage and dignity. The journey of Alzheimer’s takes an immeasurable toll on one’s heart, but we praise God for the gift of her presence in our lives all these years. We now pray for her peace and eternal rest and that the cure for this wretched disease will be close at hand soon.