Shirley H. Neilson

On Tuesday, September 30th, Shirley H. (Myers) Neilson, 90, of Frostburg, closed her eyes on this world and opened them to a Welcome Home Party, surrounded by her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, along with her sister Ruth Miller, brother John Myers and his wife Helen, nephew Harry Vernon Miller, grandson Garett Colona, son-in-law Bob Clark, her first husband Clarence Neilson, who's been waiting nearly 56 years for her, her second husband Charles Neilson, who probably said "Hey Shirley, it's been almost 2 months! It's time to come Home!", and many other loved ones who have gone Home before her.

Her life story is one of joys, struggles, adventures, and loss, but her strong faith, sharp wit, and love for her family shine through it all.

She was born May 24th, 1935, during the Great Depression, about which she was known to say, "We were dirt poor, but so was everyone else, so we didn't even know it." She met Clarence, the love of her life, in her teens. They loved skating, bowling, and fishing at Savage River dam, but most of all, they loved the Lord. Their daughter, Dottie (Ron Pase), was born a year after they married, and a mere 14 years later, they were blessed with a son, Stephen (Ann Neilson), and two years later with another son, Kevin (Tracy Neilson). In the years between, they built their own home, and a cabin at Savage River, where so many memories have been made.

But just two years after their family was complete, Clarence was called Home. And Shirley's strength, wisdom, and determination became apparent as she raised two young boys into strong men, still taking them on trips, negotiating vehicle purchases, keeping house, and making sure dinner was always hot and yummy, even as she worked briefly in the cafeteria at Beall elementary, and then at George's Creek Elementary for nearly 20 years.

Just before Clarence passed, she also became "Mum-mum", as their first grandchild, Cherie (Clay Blubaugh) was born, followed by Cinda (Mark Nolan), Danny (Dana Clark), Robert (Summer Clark), Amanda (Ty Morgan), Lindsay (Bobby Dolly), Ben (Courtney Neilson), and Chelsea (Tyler Van Meter), who all have fond memories of her bringing the "little people" toys out of the attic, and playing with them for hours in her living room. An amazing woman, right!?

In the middle of that, she found love again and married Charles, and her family grew to include her step-daughter Rose Marie (Deal), and her children Sharron (Yoder), Ashley (Crawford), and Adam (Brode).

Shirley and Charles loved traveling together in their trailer and vacationed at many places over the years, including Niagara Falls, and for years, they spent many weeks at Cutty's campground and Myrtle Beach, usually taking the grandkids along, all the while building more memories at the cabin and hosting holidays with the family.

Her family has grown to include so many great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews, we don't dare try to number us all, but we know she loved each one beyond measure, as she was our prayer warrior, faithfully praying for our protection, healing, and salvation.

Over the years, she attended the Moscow Church of the Nazarene, First Assembly of God, Lonaconing, Bethel Holiness, Danville Church of the Brethren, and the Good News Assembly churches. We loved her deeply, and the void in our hearts will only be filled when we meet again in Heaven.

If you loved her like we did, please join us on Sunday, October 5th to celebrate a life well-lived. Friends will be received at the Boal Memorial Chapel, Barton from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. A funeral service will take place following the visitation at 2:30 p.m.

Interment will be at Laurel Hill Cemetery, Moscow Mills, Barton.

Our special thanks go to the staff at Frostburg Rehab Center and the staff at WMHS for taking such good care of Shirley.

In lieu of flowers, we'd love it if you'd make a donation in Shirley's honor to Pathfinders for Autism. Donations can be mailed to Pathfinders for Autism (1954 Greenspring Dr, Suite LL20, Timonium, MD 21093)