Shirley Armstrong

Shirley Ann Armstrong (May), 78, passed away on April 3, 2022, at the Ashtabula Co. Medical Center.

She was born on February 22, 1944, in Ashtabula, the daughter of Eugene and Alice (Ware) May.

Shirley graduated from Ashtabula High School class of 1962. Shirley married Kenneth Armstrong on June 1, 1962. At the age of 16, she got her first job on Main Avenue working for the Tasty Freeze Ice Cream Parlor; she went on to work for Morrison Radio & Supply for a few years then went to work at Callender Chevy. She enjoyed the car business and went on to take a job working in the Service Department of Nassief Ford in Jefferson for many years.  She then worked for University Business Supply where she learned printing and business. This experience led her to start one of many of her companies, Shirley’s Print Shoppe, which she owned and operated until her retirement. She and her husband, Kenneth, also owned K&D Gifts and Northeast Carpet Cleaners and Maid Service. 

Giving back to the community and being active in her children’s lives was very important to Shirley. She was a Cub Scout Pack Leader and a charter member of the American Business Women’s Association Anchors Away Chapter. She was also one of the founders of the Ashtabula Midget Football League where she served as the Jets team mom for many years. Although she was a dedicated worker and accomplished a great deal, her greatest accomplishments came as a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her family was her life. When she and Kenneth were blessed with children she thought it was the best thing in the world until she had grandchildren and great-grandchildren who just stole her heart. She adored them all. When she did take time for herself she enjoyed bowling, playing cards, camping, and an occasional trip to the casino. After all her years of working, she truly loved being home during retirement.

She is survived by her loving family: her husband Kenneth; her children: Kenneth E. (Susan) Armstrong, Dennis J. (Elizabeth) Armstrong, and Trina (William) LaBaw; her grandchildren: Kenneth (Jessica) Armstrong, Stephinie Armstrong, Matthew (Lori) Armstrong, Kristen Armstrong, Wm. Ryan LaBaw, Paige LaBaw, John Kanouff, William Kanouff, and Katherine Kanouff; her great-grandchildren: Emme, Kaylee Jo, Parker, Madeline, and Ian and her niece Debbie (Kevin) McKnight.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Mary Jane Carleton, her nephews: Jimmy Arsulic and Steve Arsulic, and her daughter-in-law Alta (Elly) Armstrong.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 8, 2022, at 1:00 pm in the mausoleum chapel at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens. Memorial contributions can be made to the family.

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