Shirley A. Tilburg, 81, of Fredonia died Wednesday afternoon, October 4, 2017 at Brooks Memorial Hospital. She was born October 18, 1935 in Fredonia, Daughter of the late Stephen and Antoinette (Krolowski) Przytula.
A retired employee of Tops Markets and Harvest View Market and Greenhouses, Shirley had also worked to harvest grapes with her family at Siebert Farms.
Her memberships include St. Joseph R.C. Church, Moose Lodge #89, and the Kosciuszko Polish Club, where her father was one of the five founding members. She was also a member of the Tops bowling team that was in many tournaments.
From being an employee of Tops and then onto Harvest View Market, Shirley enjoyed working with the public. At Harvest View, Shirley enjoyed working with her niece Carol Willebrandt and her family, and she brought her green thumb and made everything look beautiful. She worked hard all her life and taught her children to do the same. Shirley will be missed by many but her love will be in our hearts forever.
Surviving is her husband of 63 years, Kenneth G. Tilburg of Fredonia, whom she married September 25, 1954; children, Dan (Lisa) Tilburg of Fredonia and Sharon Tilburg (Robert Serens) of Rochester; sister, Lillian Polasik of Dunkirk; brother, John Przytula of Fredonia; grandchildren, Alisha (Joe) Brenecki of Fredonia, Laura (Mitchell Liegerot) Tilburg of Rochester, Stacey (Kenneth) Betts of Fredonia and Christopher Ricotta of Fort Mill, SC; and great-grandchildren, Deegan and Ronan Brenecki, Dominik Betts and Emilyn Ricotta. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews. Preceded in death, in addition to her parents, were sisters, Julia Gaszynski, Helen Bielicki and Genevieve Siebert; and brothers, Peter and Aloysius Przytula.
Relatives and friends are welcome to call on Friday, October 6 from 4-7 p.m. at the R. Mackowiak Funeral Home Inc., 56 East Doughty St. in Dunkirk. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, October 7 at noon at St. Joseph R.C. Church. Interment will be in Forest Hill Cemetery.
Flowers are declined, and memorials can be made to Brooks Memorial Hospital Dialysis Unit.
By the Observer
