Shirley Francis

Shirley Barbara (Wilson) Francis (1933-2025) Age 91, a resident of Poughkeepsie, NY has peacefully passed at Vassar Hospital on September 4, 2025 after a short illness.

Shirley was born in Wappingers Falls, NY to Dorothy (nee Mitchell) and Gilbert H. Wilson.

After graduating from Wappingers High School, Shirley worked for a short time at IBM alongside her father and grandfather helping with the war effort.

She then began her career in banking working as a loan platform manager for County Trust in Yorktown Heights, NY.  Shirley married her first husband and had one daughter, Michelle (Andrick). 

After divorcing in the early 1970s she went on to work as an assistant manager for Bankers Trust in Poughkeepsie, NY for several years and worked at Northern Dutchess Hospital, Rhinebeck NY, in administration.

In 1975 she married the love of her life, Robert E. Francis, moved to Scotia, NY and welcomed  three step-sons, David, Dennis and Darrell into her life.  Shirley worked at various physician offices in the area and at Ellis Hospital, Schenectady, NY in their payroll department.

In 1987 Shirley and Robert retired to enjoy the warm weather in New Port Richey, FL where they lived happily until early 2000 when they returned to live in Saugerties, NY to be closer to family.

Shirley enjoyed  being with family, gardening, cooking, birding, visiting horses with Lyla, her granddaughter, and reading books on romance and history until macular degeneration affected her eyesight.  She and Robert were avid members of All Saints Episcopal Church, Tarpon Springs, FL and Church of the Messiah, Rhinebeck, NY.

Upon Robert’s death in October 2023, Shirley moved to an independent Senior Living residence in Poughkeepsie, NY.  She enjoyed spending time with family and new friends.

Shirley was predeceased in death by her sister, Roberta Gonsalves.  She is survived by her sister Marion Coon (nee Wilson), half-sisters Olivia (Marty) Curtin, Paula Thrailkill; daughter, Michelle and son-in-law David Andrick, stepsons David Francis and Ilene (Angarola), Dennis Francis and Ilena (Dulkis), and Darrell and (Dodie) Francis.

Grandchildren: Lyla Andrick, Amy Francis, Christopher (Amy) Francis, Sara (Aaron) Palombo, Michael (Jen) Francis, Eric (Katrina) Francis, and six great grandchildren. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at 11am at The Church of the Messiah 6436 Montgomery Street, Rhinebeck, NY.

Memorial donations may be made to The Church of the Messiah in honor of the Shirley Francis Memorial Fund.  Please send donations to P.O. Box 248, Rhinebeck, NY 12572.

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