Shirley Altemose

Shirley Suzanne (Jacobs) Altemose, 88 of Brockway, PA went home to be with her lord on September 19, 2022.

She was born February 19, 1934 in Catasauqua, PA to the late William B. and Anna E. Jacobs. She was happily married for 68 years to her late husband, Earl Ray Altemose. Shirley was the last surviving member of her immediate family. She was preceded in death by her brothers William B. (Marie) Jacobs, Jr., Ronald N. (Janet) Jacobs of Allentown, PA and a sister Joanne C. (Allen) Kleintop of Catasauqua, PA.

Shirley graduated from Catasauqua High School in 1952 with honors and was a majorette. She met the love of her life, Earl, at a square dance. They were married September 16, 1953 and later moved to Brockway, PA in 1958. She has resided in Brockway for past 64 years!

Shirl’s job was being a domestic engineer, in other words, she was a loving mother, Gram and Great Gram who gave selflessly to her entire family and friends. Shirl’s greatest joy was her family, son, Craig E (Celia Rainville) Altemose of State College, PA and daughter, Susan K Altemose of Brockway, PA; grandchildren Christopher (Julie) Altemose, Stephanie (Matt) Douglas, Elissa (Clint Salada) Rhed, Ryan (Martene) Rhed, Seth(Rachel) Rhed, Jared A. Read and Blake (Tim Yapp) Read; great grandchildren Kelsey Altemose, Taylor Altemose, Vincent Douglas, Eliza Douglas, Kellen Salada, Spencer Rhed, Lilah Rhed, Hudson Rhed, Harrison Rhed and numerous nieces and nephews.

Shirl was a member of the Brockway Presbyterian Church where she was on the Board of the Session; was a Ruling Elder; was a member of the Presbyterian Women, Presbyterian Circle and Breakfast Class Sunday School. She sang in the church choir for many years. She also sang in the Entertainers and later the Village Voices of Brockway. She served the Jefferson County Board of Elections as a minority inspector for the Borough of Brockway. She was also a member of the Brockway Progressive Women's Club, Rebekahs of the IOOF (International Order of Odd Fellows), St. Mary’s Moose, DuBois VFW and the Lakewood Rod and Gun Club of NY.

Shirley loved spending time cooking, baking and preparing special meals, hors d’oeuvres, desserts and snacks for her family, friends and particularly Penn State tailgaters. She enjoyed sewing homemade Halloween costumes for her grandchildren; knitting her homemade Christmas stockings for everyone in the family and making her homemade dish rages that she gave to all. Shirley along with her late husband Earl enjoyed boating on Kinzua Dam and just relaxing at their camp (Seven Oaks) with family and friends. You would commonly see her swinging on the front porch swing at the camp.

Shirley took great pride in keeping an immaculate house inside and out with everything always in its place. She was passionate about Penn State football, going to the games, cooking for and enjoying PSU family and friends. She was like the team historian/statistician. She could tell you anything about the team, recruits, players, stats and overall performance of the Penn State team.

Shirl and Earl were accomplished dancers that would light up any room, Shirl took great pride in this. Shirley was a classy, fashionable, well dressed, tidy lady with every piece of her ensemble matching down to her shoes. Her husband Earl’s attire would also match. Her family traditions,food and labors of love will be treasured memories that our family will forever cherish and have made an imprint in our hearts.

Shirley’s favorite colors were purple and green, in celebration of her life, please feel free to wear those colors in her honor.

We will be gathering for a memorial service to honor and celebrate the life of Shirley Altemose at the Brockway Presbyterian Church, 817 Main Street, Brockway, PA on Saturday, October 1, 2022 with the Reverend Christopher McCloskey officiating. Visitation will be held from 10:00 to 11:30 am with the service immediately following. The service will be live streamed on the Brockway Presbyterian Church YouTube channel.

Memorial donations may be made to the Presyterian Church or Thon (THON™ is a student-run philanthropy by Penn State committed to enhancing the lives of children and families impacted by childhood cancer.)