Shirley V. Anson, age 82, of Clintondale, passed away at Vassar Bros. Hospital in Poughkeepsie, New York on Tuesday, December 14, 2021.
She is survived by her loving husband, Robert “Butch” Anson; daughter, Jami; sons, Robert “Kip” and Kelly, and daughter-in-law, Sarah; sister, Dorothy Erichsen; brothers Leroy and Robert Morse, numerous nieces, nephews, their children, her friends/lunch buddies “LOC’s-The Ladies of Clintondale,” and numerous other friends.
Preceding her in death was her son, Richard; father, Lawrence H. Morse; mother, Elsie S. Morse; sister, Marjorie Harr; and brother Richard Morse.
Shirley was born and lived the majority of her life in Clintondale. She attended the Clintondale schoolhouse and later graduated from New Paltz High School.
In addition to working as a bookkeeper for her family’s construction business, she worked for the Towns of Plattekill and New Paltz as a welfare officer. She was the Town of Plattekill historian for many years, President of the Plattekill Historical Society, a renowned author and expert in local history.
Shirley spent many years as an active volunteer fire fighter and medical emergency responder in the Clintondale Fire Department, where she also served as the department’s treasurer.
Shirley was known throughout the community as a trustworthy, hard-working, kind and generous person. She loved learning new things and had many varied interests but the history of the Hudson Valley and researching her family genealogy was her passion.
Her love of learning led her to take numerous college level classes and seminars in genealogy and history. As the president of the historical society, she organized local lectures and fundraisers.
Although losing her has left a hole in her family’s hearts, we take solace in the fact that she is now at peace and surrounded by light.
Donations in Shirley’s memory can be made to any of these charities:
- The Clintondale Fire Department, PO Box 181, Clintondale, New York 12515
- The Children’s Home of Poughkeepsie, 10 Children’s Way, Poughkeepsie, New York 12601
- The Plattekill Historical Society, PO Box 250, Clintondale, New York 12515