Obituary of Shirley Ann Lucas

Shirley Ann Lucas was a native of Brooklyn, New York. She was born on September 29, 1940 to William D. Lucas and Minnie E. Lucas. During Shirley’s early years she attended New York’s public elementary schools and Eastern District High School in Brooklyn, New York, where she earned her high school diploma.

After graduating high school, Shirley went on to work as a Nursing Assistant at St. Luke’s Hospital. In the mid 1950’s Shirley became pen pals with a United States Marine named George W. Williams Jr., who she later married on her birthday in 1959. One year later, Shirley and George gave birth to their first child, Lois and 15 months later they gave birth to their second daughter, Patricia.  Shortly after the births of her daughters, Shirley entered her borough’s beauty contest and won. She was crowned Miss Brooklyn, New York.  It was not until almost eight years later that this crowned “Beauty Queen” and George decided to increase their beautiful loving family. During such time they then gave birth to their third daughter Karen and then, three years later, to their forth daughter, and Shirley’s name sake, Shirley Jr. (Sherry). During Shirley and George’s pin pal and dating years, George use to affectionately call Shirley, Sherry, somewhat after their favorite love song by Stevie Wonder, entitled, “My Cherrie Amor;” where George would substitute the name Cherrie for Sherry.

Periodically, Shirley was a stay at-home mother, caring for her daughters, while George was the family’s bread winner. When Shirley went back to work, she resumed working in the field that she so dearly loved; in nursing, caring for others. To further enhance her knowledge and calling for nursing, Shirley went on to receive more skilled training and received her certification as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). From 1971-1991, over 20 years, Shirley dedicatedly worked at  the Little Sisters of the Poor, Queen of Peace Residence, in Queens, New York, where she, George and their beautiful daughters lived and made their home for many years.

Shirley also had a very gifted and creative side. She loved to sew, knit and crochet. Although she had many wise, very memorable and poignant sayings, one of her most treasured and repeated, Shirley Lucas quotes, was “A closed mouth don’t get fed.” Shirley instilled many very important values in her children, particularly the value of asserting oneself and not being afraid to stand up for and speak up for their selves. Most importantly, Shirley impressed upon her daughters, to keep reaching ever-higher for their goals in life and to always  maintain their faith in God and to give back to others in need and those less fortunate in society.   

Prior to Shirley’s totally debilitating illness, in 2001, she was a volunteer, as a Patient Companion for those in need at Monroe Community Hospital, here in Rochester, New York. With her very special, admirable, awe inspiring regal Queenly pride, Shirley courageously fought and endured her heartbreaking debilitating illnesses until her death on February 3, 2021. Throughout this period, Shirley held deeply on to her faith in God; as it was her daily prayer, which she would say every day, all day, “Lord fix me!”

Shirley is preceded by her parents, William and Minnie Lucas, her ex-husband and lifelong love and friend George, her daughter Karen, her sisters Magdalene, Gloria, Elaine and brother, John, her grandson Michael, nephew Randy and niece Elizabeth. Shirley is survived by her daughters, Lois, Patricia and Shirley Jr., grandchildren, Kenneth III, Casey, Christopher Jr., Marcus, Kyante, Destinee, Kenyan and Diondre, sisters, Eva, Clydette, Dolores, brothers, William , Earl, Milton and a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.  

Mom in life we loved you dearly. In death, we love you still. In our hearts you will hold a place no one else ever will.