Obituary of Shirley R. Currey

Shirley Currey, a long time resident of Grahamsville, NY, passed away peacefully under a clear starry sky at home on March 4th, 2022, surrounded by family. Shirley was born in January of 1962 in Brooklyn, NY to the late Gerhard and Eleonore Henke.

Shirley graduated from Tri-Valley High School, and went on to receive her Bachelor's degree in Business Management from Boston University. She returned to her hometown of Grahamsville to marry the love of her life, Hank Currey, and raise her three sons. Later in life she returned to college to complete a Masters in Education, which she used to touch countless lives in the Rondout Valley School District as a kindergarten teacher at Kerhonkson Elementary School.

Shirley was known for her free spirit and passion for life. She truly cared about all she came across and seeked to learn all she could about the world around her. She loved reading, photography, exploring in her buggy, and sleigh riding, but her greatest joy came from spending time with her family. Shirley was so proud of her three sons, Hank, Glenn, and Weston, and absolutely adored her grandchildren, Dean, Jack, Isla, and Maxine. 

She is survived by her loving husband of 37 years, Hank Currey; sister Evelyn Skidmore and husband Garry of Grahamsville, NY; three beloved sons and daughters-in-law, Hank and Lori of Gambrills, MD, Glenn and Courtney of Lakeland FL, and Weston and Molly of Wynantskill, NY; four grandchildren, Dean, Jack, Isla, and Maxine; and two dearly loved fur babies, Bella and Sister.  She is also survived by several other family members including sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Shirley leaves to mourn an abundance of friends, and also children from the Kerhonkson school system that made her time there a true treasure. She was predeceased by her sister Cornelia Henke, and parents Gerhard and Eleonore Henke.

There will be a private intimate service for the family, and a celebration of life later in May where friends and family will gather to remember Shirley.  She will rest next to her father, mother, and sister in the Grahamsville Rural Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, her family requests that donations be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or charity of one's choice in Shirley's memory.

Arrangements are under the care of Colonial Memorial Funeral Home, 396 State Route 52, Woodbourne, NY 12788. For additional information, contact the funeral home at 845-434-7363 or visit the website at www.colonialfamilyfuneralhomes.com.

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