Obituary of Shirley Smith Osborne

Shirley Reuss Smith Osborne was born on August 18th 1928, and passed away suddenly on April 11th 2014; she was 85. Shirley was born and grew up in Philadelphia, attending Overbrook High School. She was awarded a 4-year Mayor's Scholarship to the University of Pennsylvania, majoring in Chemistry and minoring in Psychology. Both of her parents were already deceased by her mid-twenties. She had an older brother Charlie or "Jus", and an older sister Barbara, both of whom are already deceased. Winning this prestigious scholarship allowed Shirley to attend college without a scholarship her sister Barbara was unable to attend college as their father did not approve of higher education for women. Shirley worked in the metal finishing industry when there were few women indeed in this field. She was once denied entry to the Philadelphia Engineers' Club when she went there with male co-workers. She met her husband of 57 years, Bill, when they were both working at General Electric in Trenton; they were married on Dec. 5th, 1957. She then worked at PennSalt but was laid off, primarily based on the expectation that she would soon get pregnant anyway. Together they had 2 children, Diana Nancy (Dee), born in 1960, and Susan Erika, born in 1963. Also part of the family were the three children from Bill's first marriage, William Joseph Osborne Jr., Elizabeth Arlyn Osborne, and Beryl Ann Osborne Braselton. When the children were young Shirley made a career change to the education field. She had a keen mind and was a teacher for many years, working first as a substitute teacher in various subjects, and later on was employed by the Philadelphia School System teaching High School Equivalency and English as a Second Language to adult students. She was an exceptional teacher and used this ability to change the lives of many adults for the better over multiple decades, particularly those adults who could not read or write. During this time she earned two Master's degrees in education to further enhance her teaching skills. She also served as a representative in the Philadelphia School Teachers' Union. Shirley was a 50+ year member of AAUW, the American Association of University Women, and was among the members who started an after-school child care program in the local Abington and Upper Moreland township elementary schools. After retiring from teaching professionally she introduced the Let's Read Math program in the local schools; this program was also sponsored by AAUW and assisted first- and second-grade students in math using an already established curriculum. Shirley made many close and lasting friends through the AAUW group. Shirley was an accomplished bridge player and played regularly with friends. She participated in the Abington Town Watch program. She was also involved in the placement of the Abington Free Library in its new home where it remains to this day. Shirley loved music, especially Joan Baez, Peter Paul and Mary; Bach and Beethoven. She had a tremendous love for Scotland, having fallen in love with it when traveling there with her husband Bill, and she particularly enjoyed Celtic music. She loved books and reading, especially mysteries; most favorite was probably Dorothy Sayers and her characters Lord Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane. At bedtime when the children were young she read aloud all of L. Frank Baum's Oz series (which starts with the classic and well-known "The Wizard of Oz", but there are many more after.), among other great books. She also loved the ocean, the color blue, lighthouses, and crossword puzzles. Shirley will be missed by many. She is survived by numerous grandchildren, great- grandchildren, and also now 2 great-great-grandchildren, as well as the beloved family collie, Laird, who misses her most terribly. A Service of Love and Memory and Celebration of Life will be held Friday, October 3rd, at 1:30 PM at Abington Presbyterian Church, 1082 Old York Road, Abington. Friends will be received after the service. Interment in Washington Crossing National Cemetery will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Institutional Advancement, Hillsdale College, 33 E. College Street, Hillsdale, MI 49242 ( www.hillsdale.edu) or to Collie Rescue Foundation, 2215 N. 600 E, Lebanon, IN 46052 ( www.collierescuefoundation.org)