Shirley A. Kearney
Died: May 11, 2018
Kearney
SHIRLEY A. KEARNEY 
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHER 
MOUNT OLIVE TWP:
Shirley (nee Ahlers) Kearney died on Friday, May 11, 2018 at The House of the Good Shepherd, Hackettstown. She was 81.

Born in Dover, NJ, she lived in the Budd Lake section of Mount Olive Twp. all her life.
She was a graduate of Douglass College, the women's division of Rutgers University,
and began her career as a classroom teacher at the Lincoln Elementary School in
Roxbury Twp. in 1958 where she taught until her retirement in 1993.
Shirley was a member and past president of the Roxbury Education Association (REA)
and served as chief negotiator representing the Roxbury Twp. teachers and staff
. She
a
lso served as chairman of several committees and was an active member of the
Morris County Education Assoc., the New Jersey Education Assoc. and the National
Teachers Assoc., attending meetings, workshops, etc. on behalf of her colleagues in
the REA.
A member of the United Methodist Church since her childhood, Shirley was a lay
minister in her local parish and served as president of the United Methodist Women
there until her death. She considered it to be an honor and worked diligently on fund
raisers such as the roast beef dinners and luncheons. Her favorite was packing the
Chr
istmas shoeboxes which were sent to underprivileged children.
Shirley's life was one of commitment, whether it was her family, her church or her
students and teachers. When she accepted a responsibility, she remained committed
until its completion.
Survivors include her sister, Patricia Baer, Benton, Pa., her brother, Walter Ahlers and
his wife, Lois, Mt. Olive Twp., her foster siblings, Lois, Gloria and Steven and many
devoted nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her husband, Lieutenant James
Kearney of the Mt. Olive Twp. Police Dept.
 
A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, May 15, 2018 at 11 am at The Drakestown United Methodist Church, 6 Church Road, Hackettstown. Interment will follow at Union Cemetery, Hackettstown.
Friends may call at the Cochran Funeral Home, 905 High Street, Hackettstown on Monday, May 14, 2018from 4-8 PM.

For those desiring donations may be made to the Drakestown United Methodist Church, 6 Church Road, Hackettstown, NJ 07840 in memory of Shirley.
Online condolences may be made at www.cochranfuneral.com
 
 
 
 

Condolences:

Jeff and Donna McEnteer
#3
May 15th, 2018 8:35 am
Shirley was a kind, giving and thoughtful woman. She was a good friend and we will truly miss her.
Sandy & Jim Julian
#2
May 14th, 2018 7:53 am
Shirley was a wonderful lady & one of the hardest workers I’ve ever known. As had been said, any job that Shirley took on she made a success of and saw through to completion. Shirley was a true friend to both my parents in their lifetime. She will be greatly missed by her friends & family & her community. God’s speed, Shirley.
Jeffrey T Bickel (Son of Gloria)
#1
May 12th, 2018 6:02 pm
Thoughts and prayers going out to all others affected by this. Even after death shes still bringing family together once again. I remember the reunion she had years ago she invited family over for a great day .
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