Shirley Strayer Bonner, formerly of Beaver, passed away peacefully in her sleep on December 28, 2024, in Wilmington, DE.
Born on June 6, 1936 to Marjorie Strayer Long and Orin Long, Shirley was born and lived in the same house in Beaver until moving east with her husband Clete in 2014 to be closer to their daughters. A graduate of Beaver High School and Geneva College, Shirley worked for several years as a Special Education assistant in the Beaver Falls School District, was active with the Junior Women’s Club and Trinity Episcopal Church in Beaver. and volunteered for years with the Allegheny County Neighborhood Legal Services. Shirley loved best her time spent with family and friends, and the front porch in Beaver was a frequent gathering spot for all.
In addition to her husband Clete, she was preceded in death by her parents Eleanor (Schlagel) and Arthur Clare Strayer and sister Marnee Headland.
Shirley is dearly missed by her daughters Rebecca Bonner (Tim Stopper) and Deborah MacGray (Douglas); grandchildren Rachel Shepherd (Lindsey Bailet), Clare Shepherd, Eleanor Shepherd, Logan MacGray (Danielle), Molly Basciani (Guido), and Riley MacGray; her brother and sister-in-love, Roger and Barbara Headland; and eight great-grandchildren.
Shirley was blessed with a large and loving extended family as well, including Rick Jones, Heidi (McCloskey) Schuster, Kim (McCloskey) Eshelman, Scott Shepherd, and Liz Suhanec.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Southern Poverty Law Center or Ministry of Caring.
