Shirley J. Mayer

Shirley J. Mayer, longtime resident of Lancaster, Ohio, died peacefully on September 22, 2024 at the age of 88. She was born May 20, 1936 in Deer Park, Maryland to Jesse Paugh and Martha Blanche (Felda) Paugh. She grew up in Garrett County, Maryland in the community of Shallmar, where she ran wild with her cousins, making mischief and swimming in the Potomac. She spent some of her teens in the coal town of Stone, Kentucky. She was a proud daughter of Appalachia and a wellspring of stories and family lore.

 Shirley was generous with everything she had, giving selflessly of her time, love and prayers. She was hard working, fun loving and empathetic with a true gift for nurturing relationships and building lifelong friendships. She was an avid gardener and a voracious reader, a talented cook and a legendary Scrabble champion.

 Shirley is survived by her children Mark (Dani) Mann; Lisa (Don) Wolfe; Barry (Son) Mann; Erich Mann; Jenny (Brad) Rife; their father James (Mary Anne) Mann; grandchildren Nathan (Amy) Wolfe; Ian (Haley) Wolfe; Tristan Wolfe; Kady (Shane Messina) Wolfe; Nikolas (Rebecca Ritchey) Mann; Brooks Mann; Cameron (Jess Foksa) Moore; Jenny (Brandon) Shattuck; Kelly (Andy) Conrad; Marlie (Karl Brunder) Rife; Jamie Rife. Shirley was blessed with three great granddaughters, Cordelia, Calliope and Imogen. She is also survived by her brother, Robert (June) Paugh. Other survivors include step-grandchildren Ashli, Zane and Storm Snyder and their families, and stepdaughters Barbara, Bobbie Jo, Brenda and Jeri and their families.

 Shirley had cousins, nieces and nephews too numerous to mention, but she loved each one with tender devotion, thought of them daily and prayed for them often. Floyd “Bunky” Paugh, Esther “Snookie” Young, Helen Tranum and Sherry Williamson were especially dear. Likewise, her friendships were plentiful and abiding, sustaining her through life’s changing seasons, and she cherished them all, particularly Agnes McAfee, her most enduring bond.

 Shirley was preceded in death by her daughter Holly (Gary) Snyder; husband Gary Mayer; parents Jesse and Blanche Paugh; sisters Esther, Virginia, Geraldine and Catherine; and brothers Ernest, Clarence and James.

 The family would like to give special thanks to Fairhope Hospice for their kindness, professionalism and exemplary care of Shirley in these recent weeks.

 Planning is underway for a celebration of life in May 2025. “Come the spring, with all its splendor, all its birds and all its blossoms.”

 Caring Cremation® has taken place by the FRANK E. SMITH FUNERAL HOME. To leave an online condolence and sign the guestbook, please visit www.funeralhome.com.