Shirley Mae Ostrander

Shirley Mae Ostrander (nee Painton)

It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of our mother Shirley Mae Ostrander, 92, on Saturday, October 4, 2025. Despite our tears, we also know there was a joyful celebration in heaven when she finally reunited with her husband and love of her life, her Jack (passed 2018). She was born on September 6, 1933 in Hazleton, PA to Herbert and Lena Painton (nee Brobst). Her mother named her after famous child star Shirley Temple.

Shirley met Jack (the minister’s son) as a teenager in the Salvation Army’s youth group “Band of Love” in the late 40s – it was love at first sight. After she graduated Hazleton High School in 1951, and Jack finished his tour of duty with the Air Force in 1952, they married in 1953 and moved to Chester, PA for Jack’s work. They raised two daughters, bought a house, and shared 65 happy loving years together. Shirley loved children and provided daycare in her home for almost 25 years. Her reputation grew and she was in demand for years. As age crept up on her, she began having trouble lifting the infants and toddlers and had to retire. She also volunteered many years for the Salvation Army red kettle drive, starting outside as a bell ringer at first, and in later years joined Jack inside as a kettle money counter. She always educated people she met that the Salvation Army was a church, as well as a social organization. She was a devout Salvationist and loved her God and Lord Jesus Christ.

Shirley loved traveling, especially our yearly vacations to the Outer Banks of North Carolina, where she relished the peace and a special connection with her beloved Jack. She also enjoyed cheering on the Phillies, going to church, snoozing in her recliner, solving cryptograms and search a word puzzles, sitting in the sun on our deck, BINGO, (monthly at the Library/Lions Club, weekly at the VFWs), Bunco, and spoiling her family, friends and her dogs Gypsy (dalmatian, passed) and Bandit (yorkie) with love and laughter.

Shirley is survived by her daughters Linda Ostrander and Joyce Murray; her grandchildren Joseph Ostrander (Rhonda) and Amy Boyd; her great grandchildren Allison Gaddis (Josiah), Hailey Ostrander, JJ Ostrander; Mackenzie Boyd, and Bobby Boyd. She will be deeply missed, forever loved, and always in our hearts.

Family and friends are invited to her viewing Friday, October 10, 2025 at 10:00 am at D’Anjolell Memorial Home, 2811 West Chester Pike, Broomall, PA 19008, followed by her Funeral Service at 11:00 am. Interment in Glenwood Memorial Gardens, 2321 West Chester Pike, Broomall, PA 19008.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made in Shirley’s memory to: The Salvation Army, P.O. Box 1032, Brookhaven, PA 19015.

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