Shirley June Dygert
November 26, 1935 – November 21, 2018
HUDSON FALLS – Shirley June Dygert, 82, passed away Wednesday November 21, 2018 at her home surrounded by family.
She was born November 26, 1935 in Amsterdam to the late Chester J. and Mildred M. (Tibbals) Dygert.
She grew up on a dairy farm in Canajoharie and imparted the strong work ethic and self-reliance she learned there to her children. She graduated from Canajoharie High School in 1954.
She married Richard Leo Dygert on December 6, 1958 at Christ Methodist Church in Glens Falls, New York and settled in Hudson Falls where she and Richard would raise three daughters. She worked for Arkell and Smith which later became Chase Bag Company for 35 years, then worked for the Washington County Economic Opportunity Council until she retired in 2005. She later looked back and wished that she had the opportunity to go college, and worked hard to provide that opportunity for her children.
Shirley loved being a mother and a grandmother and spending time with her extended family. She adored and was incredibly proud of her grandchildren. She was known as the fun aunt to her nieces and nephews. She was unfailingly generous and reliable. She loved knitting and was known for knitting and was known for knitting blankets, hats, dish clothes, and Christmas stockings for family and friends. She was extremely proud of the hats and mittens which were known as Aunt Shirley’s Mittens that she knit for the students of the Cherry Valley-Springfield, Canajoharie, and Cobleskill-Richmondville school districts. When growing up on the farm she rode horses, and her love of animals, continued throughout her life. She loved music, reading and watching mysteries on television. Among her family she was known for her delicious pumpkin rolls and ambrosia salad and she was a notoriously competitive but good-natured card player, and we will miss inevitably losing to her at holiday gatherings. We are deeply saddened at her passing but are forever inspired by and grateful for her example of kindness, selflessness, strength of character, and love of family.
She was predeceased by her husband Richard, her daughter Terry (Michael) Rabine, and her sister Clara D. Hency.
Shirley is survived by her daughters Robin Dygert and Marla (James Burleigh) Dygert; her grandchildren Alex and Daniel Rabine and Madeline and Anna Burleigh; her sister Evelyn (the late Silas) Bowerman; her sister-in-law Barbara Bowman and her husband Jason Bowman; her dear friends Dorothy (the late Homer) Anthony, Lori and Jim Derrick, and George Richmond; and many nieces and nephews.
At Shirley’s request, there will be no calling hours. There will be a private celebration of Shirley’s life. Internment of her remains will take place at the West Saint Johnsville Cemetery in the spring.
Special thanks to friends and neighbors who helped care for her and Dr. Grubbs at Glens Falls Hospital.
On line condolences can me made by visiting www.carletonfuneralhome.net