Shirley Evelyn Thomson

Shirley E. Thomson, 89, passed away peacefully on December 10, 2024, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Shirley resided in Pulaski for more than 30 years, and still has many family members and friends in the area. She was born on June 2, 1935, in Lexington, Kentucky, to Jesse Cook and Mary Ellen Cook. Shirley worked at the Kentuckian Hotel in Lexington when she was young, later moving to Pennsylvania where she operated her own craft and painting business. She moved to Winchester, Kentucky in 2002 to enjoy her family, then returned to Pennsylvania in 2016 to spend her final years under the care of her daughter Jennifer. Shirley was known for her beautiful gardens, especially the day lilies, and for always having a little dog and maybe a few cats at her feet. She brought joy and laughter to everyone she met, and often heard the words Aunt Shirley, you are crazy. Shirley always loved a good cup of coffee (with lots and lots of sugar), Pepsi, Hershey bars and never turned down cake, unless it was “terrible.” She enjoyed all of this while watching her favorite movies, the Golden Girls, or the Pittsburgh Penguins. Shirley is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, H. Francis Thomson, and her siblings J.D. Cook, Patty Cook, William Cook, Peggy Cook Honican and Leslie Cook. She is survived by her sister, Judy Mae Porter of Seattle, Washington, three children, Sherry Sayre Case of New Castle, Pennsylvania, John Michael Sayre of Youngtown, Ohio, and Jennifer A. Thomson, of Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, her daughter-in-law and favorite quiltmaker Teressa Sayre, six grandchildren, many greatgrandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and her beloved schnauzer Jake. Services will be held late next spring so that she may join Francis at the Evergreen Cemetery in New Bedford, Pennsylvania. A celebration of her life will also be held at that time for friends and family, further details will later be provided by the family. Shirley was a lifelong lover of animals, especially her little dogs. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh https://humaneanimalrescue.org/give/ or any local animal charity of your choice.

Shirley Evelyn Thomson

June 2, 1935 - December 10, 2024