Shirley Ann (Saunders) Stratton, of Williamsburg, died peacefully at home on Dec. 29, 2014, at the age of 78.
Born Aug. 19, 1936, she was the daughter of the late Margaret and Harry Seyffer. She was preceded in death by her two sisters, Jean Seyffer Piggott and Janice Seyffer Rowe.
Shirley is survived by her husband of 34 years, Richard N. Stratton; her two children, Scotti and Carlton, from a previous marriage to John E. Harwood Jr.; along with their spouses and children, daughter: Scotti Harwood and husband, Dan Dunlop, of Durham, North Carolina; son: Carlton Harwood and wife, Melissa (Missy), of Virginia Beach; stepdaughters: Valerie and Kelly Stratton; and four grandchildren: Meg Cowan, Skylar Mailhes and Sydney and Carter Harwood.
Shirley attended Matthew Whaley High School and graduated from York High School. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Longwood College and her Master of Education from William & Mary in 1968. Shirley was employed as a coordinator of Learning Resources in the School of Education at William & Mary before her retirement.
In later years she stayed involved with the College through her participation in the Christopher Wren Association and the Williamsburg Chapter of the Alumni Association. She also studied at Richmond Hill in Virginia to become a spiritual director. Shirley was active in church all her life, singing in the choir, teaching adult Sunday school and leading bible studies. Her church families over the years included Williamsburg Methodist, Williamsburg Presbyterian and most recently Jamestown Presbyterian.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2014, at Nelsen’s Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2014, at Jamestown Presbyterian Church Williamsburg.
Donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association and the American Cancer Society.
Please leave online condolences for the family at Nelsen’s Funeral Home.
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