Obituary of Shirley Adell Fletcher

Shirley A. (Russell) Fletcher, 87, of Bainbridge, NY died on Sunday, January 28, 2024 at Crouse Community Center in Morrisville, NY. Shirley was born in Binghamton, NY on December 7, 1936 and had been a resident of Bainbridge her entire adult life after her parents relocated the family from Binghamton in the late 1940s. Shirley graduated from Bainbridge High School (class of 1954) after which she attended Ridley Lowell School of Business in Binghamton. Shirley worked for American Plastics in Bainbridge as an administrative assistant, but Shirley's true calling and passion in life was raising and caring for children. She had five children of her own – four sons, Timothy, Thomas, Todd and Tad; and a daughter, Tammy, the first girl born to the Fletcher family in three generations. These five were not to be Shirley's only "children". As a daycare provider for over 40 years, supporting many hardworking families in the Tri-Town area, Shirley was "Mom" to countless young people who are undoubtedly more caring and compassionate adults today, in part, because of Shirley's devotion to their upbringing during their early developmental years. During her life, Shirley also provided years of care and devotion to her mother, husband and sister Carole at times of need. On October 7, 1956, Shirley married Roger H. Fletcher in Bainbridge. Together, they started to build their own family, living in the same house on Kirby Street for more than 60 years. It was not only the family home, but a safe haven for many young children on their walk to school who knew Shirley as a trusted friend. Shirley is survived by three of her five children, Thomas R. (and Maureen) Fletcher of Sherrill, NY, Todd S. (and Mary Beth) Fletcher of Fishkill, NY and Tad C. (and Alyssa) Fletcher of Wakefield, VA. She is also survived by two of her six siblings; Katherine (Elmer) Van Gorder of Collegeville, PA and Ruth (Bob) Wilson of Seven Points, Texas; 11 grandchildren (Nicholas, Lauren, Alex, Maxwell, Justin, Mackenzie, Hailey, Payton, Kennedy, Brynn and Timothy); her beloved sister-in-law Betty Russell; and many nieces and nephews. Shirley was predeceased by her husband of almost 60 years, Roger; her eldest son, Timothy; her favorite and only daughter, Tammy; her parents Earl A. and Helen I. (Moore) Russell; her sisters, Beverly (Dave) Williams and Carole (Randy) Smith; her brothers, Phillip (Priscilla) and Arthur Russell; her brothers-in-law, Charles, Robert and Morris Fletcher; and her parents-in-law Forrest R. and Lena M. (Aylesworth) Fletcher. The family will receive friends at the C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel, 21 Main Street, Sidney, NY on Friday, February 2, from 6 to 8 P.M. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 3, at 12 P.M. at the First United Methodist Church, 27 North Main Street, Bainbridge, NY. Shirley will be laid to eternal rest beside her husband, son and daughter at Greenlawn Cemetery in Bainbridge in a private ceremony following the funeral. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the First United Methodist Church of Bainbridge. Shirley's family would like to thank Jeff Bagley at C.H. Landers for his support and professional services, and the staff at Crouse for their compassionate care. The family also offers immense gratitude to those special women who provided many hours of care and support to our Mom during the past several years. Your assistance helped Mom remain in the home she so dearly loved.