Shirley M Morris

Shirley M. Yando Morris, 87, passed away peacefully, Monday, March 11, 2019. She was born on July 19, 1931, in Burke, NY, the daughter of Bert and Stella (Arquette) Yando. 

She is predeceased by her mother and father, a sister, Joanne E. Yando Peters, a brother, Armand J. Yando, and two brothers-in-law, Walter “Tim” Higgins and Stanley Peters.

Shirley is survived by her children, Fr. Thomas Morris, O.SS.T of Trenton, NJ; Carol and her husband, Robert B. Patterson III of Rogers, AR; John and his wife, Mary Ann Morris of Malone, NY; and Jeffrey and his wife, Donna Morris of Malone, NY; her five grandchildren, Kristie Patterson Daut and her husband John, Adam Morris, Bryan Patterson, Monique and Heather Morris; and two great-grandchildren, Isabel and Jack Daut; a brother Edward and his wife, Gracia Yando of Morrisonville, NY; and a sister Carol Higgins of Malone, NY, along with several nieces and nephews.

Shirley lived in Malone, NY, her entire life. She loved her hometown and never wanted to leave—she was a Malone girl through and through. She lived as she liked to drive down the Brainardsville Road, with her foot planted firmly on the pedal. Shirley graduated from St. Joseph’s Ursuline Academy in 1949. She considered becoming an Ursuline Sister, but instead, she was called to be a wife and mother. In 1956, she had the pleasure to travel to New York City and Boston, MA, to be interviewed and photographed for the Ladies Home Journal, and she also appeared on “Girl Talk” hosted by Virginia Graham. She entered nursing training at Alice Hyde Memorial Hospital, she later was a New York telephone operator, and then a lecturer, nutritionist, and social worker. She went back to school in her late forties and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from Empire State University in Community and Human Services with an emphasis in Food and Nutrition. She then worked for the New York State Well Child Program (W.I.C.) starting in 1981. She had a gift of working with people and connecting to whomever she met. She worked for the Church tirelessly throughout her life. Her life was intertwined with the life of the Church, just as she was in her devotion to family. She was a Commissioned Minister for Notre Dame Church and a Director of the Secular Order of the Most Holy Trinity—she made her profession of vows in 1991. She served wherever she was needed throughout the community: homebound minister, lector, Eucharistic minister, teacher, spiritual director, mentor, while also serving on various committees and leadership positions. She was a deeply spiritual person, who was able to travel with her son, Fr. Thomas Morris, throughout Europe as a Trinitarian. She was a gifted artist who found inspiration in her oils, charcoals, water colors, sketches, and wood carvings. She also loved to read and share her books with others. Sometimes she would read through the night because she had to know the ending of a book. She held a special place in her heart for the poet and writer, Kahlil Gibran. She loved the early mornings and a fresh start to each day, but she loved her God, family, and friends most of all. Her loving spirit knew no bounds in regards to others. She captured the hearts of everyone who knew her. We will remember her laughing, praying, hugging, talking, and connecting with others just as she loved to do in life.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated Friday, July 19, 2019, at 7:00 p.m. at St Ann Church, 357 Dorrance Street, Bristol, PA 19007.