Shirley E. Edwards, 80, died Oct. 26, 2024. She was the wife of the late Dale H. Edwards for 47 years.

She was a daughter of the late Fay Viola (Hower) and David Lloyd Engler of Nuangola Station.

She attended E.L. Meyers High School, Wilkes-Barre. She attended Lehigh Carbon Community College and Kutztown University, where she graduated summa cum laude in 1984 with a bachelor’s degree in special education. She later earned her master’s equivalency with the state.

She worked for Bell Telephone as a telephone operator and as a special education teaching assistant for Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit 21 for six years. She served Whitehall-Coplay School District as a special education teacher until her retirement.

She and her husband were actively involved in youth programs at Albright United Methodist Church. She and her husband helped raise six foster children.

She was a founding member, board member, past president and treasurer for Catasauqua Community Partnerships and volunteered at the community thrift shop and food bank. She served as inspector of elections for North Catasauqua Borough. In more recent years, she served on the board of Suburban North YMCA.

She was a Girl Scout leader and neighborhood chairman, a member of the Junior Woman’s Club, band parent and led special projects at Grace United Methodist Church, including summer Bible school. She was a talented seamstress who made the curtains for Grace UMC.

She was a member of the consistory at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Northampton.

She taught card-making workshops, co-lead the elementary school pen pal project and served on the residents’ council while living at Country Meadows Independent Living, Allentown.

She is survived by daughters, Dawn Edwards Fisher and husband Philip “Flip” Fisher Jr. and Heidi Lynn Edwards and companion James “Jim” Wittman Jr.; two grandchildren, Max and Katie Fisher; brothers and sisters-in-law; and nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by four half-siblings, Lloyd Engler, Nathal Lynn Simpson, Lewis Lynn and Carl Lynn.

There will be a calling time 10 a.m., followed by a celebration of life service 11 a.m., Nov. 23 at St. Paul’s UCC, 105 E. 19th St., Northampton, 18067.

Contributions may be made to St. Paul’s UCC, Northampton, and/or Catasauqua Community Partnerships, via the funeral home.

Arrangements were made by Brubaker Funeral Home Inc., Catasauqua.