Shirley-Ann Mahedy, 95, of Myerstown, PA, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 17, surrounded by the love of her family.
Shirley was an incredible woman and a true matriarch. The eldest of eight born to Esther and Harry Armstrong on July 2, 1930, in Rahway, NJ, she resided in Rahway for most of her life. This is where she met her husband, Ed, in 1941, all because of a damn dog, as she would say. She graduated from Rahway High School and, following in her mother’s footsteps, she began nursing school. She was unable to continue school as Ed proposed to her, and she was not allowed to be a married nurse. They wed in March 1951, and Ed left for the war. During that time, Shirley worked for Singer in Elizabeth, NJ, teaching sewing classes to new sewing machine owners. When Ed returned, they began their new chapter of life: parenthood, having six children. After many years of school drop-offs, graduations, dress makings, and weddings, she retired to Anderson, SC, with Ed in 1991, where they had a 16-year honeymoon, enjoying life and each other’s company. They then moved back north, to Myerstown, PA, to be closer to family.
She held many titles over the years, including daughter, granddaughter, niece, sister, friend, cousin, aunt, wife, mom, or Ma, depending on who you asked. But her favorite title was Nana. She had the privilege of watching her 10 grandchildren journey through life, birthdays, holidays, graduations, weddings, and the births of her 10 great-grandchildren, giving her the title of Great-Nana.
If you knew Shirley, you know she was infamous for her handmade Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls, brownies, and cheesecake. You could always find her either in the kitchen or in her sewing room.
She was a wonderful doll maker and baker, and when she lived in South Carolina, she made beautiful porcelain dolls. If you were lucky enough to receive one of her handmade gifts, then you are a witness to her true talents. She had a great sense of humor, always had a smile on her face, and loved deeply.
She is predeceased by many loved ones, including her husband, Edward Mahedy; son, Edward Mahedy Jr.; brothers, Frank, Duane (Deak), and George; and sister, Nancy.
She leaves behind her sister, Barbara Griffith; and brothers, Jack Armstrong, husband of Josephine, and David Armstrong; five daughters and five sons-in-law, Shirley and Rick Brye, Karen and Howard Jouas, Kim and John Fugel, Leigh and Tim Evans, and Kelly and Steve Maass; 10 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and bonus family members, who were loved as if they were her own.
Shirley’s celebration of life will be held at a future date.
“What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.” — Pericles
