Shirley Ann (Goodspeed) Harper

On November 24, 1935, Shirley Ann Harper, nee Goodspeed, was born to the late Muriel and Walt Goodspeed, in a small house at the foot of Whiteface Mountain, alongside the banks of the great AuSable River, in Wilmington, New York.

She would spend her early life in the high peaks, graduating from Mineville High School and then working at local retail shops until 1956, when Joseph Harper came to pick her up for a date. As they were sitting in his idling car, Joe handed her a small box and just smiled until she said, “Well, aren’t you going to ask me to marry you?” Together they left the Adirondacks, relocating to North Syracuse, New York where Shirley set up their new home, warm with love and before long, filling with children. Shirley and Joe soon moved again to West Monroe, New York, where together they would live out the rest of their long lives. Shirley was a homemaker whose hospitality was underlined with sincere affection. “Your mother is a saint,” a friend once remarked. But Shirley was more than an excellent cook and stay-at-home-mom; she was a full partner in Joe Harper Welding, the business that her husband started in 1977. She kept the books, but was also often called upon to act as a hands-on assistant or even to run heavy equipment. Shirley and Joe were married for 68 years, and she was glad to think she would soon be with him again, saying she wanted to go ‘back home’. Shirley was preceded in death by her beloved husband Joseph, son Jerry and grandson Robert Brown, also predeceased by brothers, Harold Kilburn, Doug and Francis Goodspeed and sister Betty Miles.

Here to hold the years of happiness in memory are her first born son, Joseph Harper II (Anne); son, Craig Harper (Marguerite); daughter, Lorraine Dougherty (Gordon); daughter, Kimberly Haught. Jill Bouvier and Margie Dewispelare were also held in her heart as daughters well. Also holding her in memory are numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews, neighbors and friends. 

There is a graveside ceremony for Shirley being planned for early spring at the West Monroe Cemetery, followed by a celebration of life gathering at the family home. Dates and times will be announced when arrangements are completed.

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