Shirley L (Young) Klingensmith

Shirley (Young) Klingensmith, 82, of Leechburg went to be with her Lord on Wednesday March 13, 2024 with her family by her side.  She was a daughter of the late Calvin A. and Florence (McQuilkin) Young.  Besides her parents she was preceded in death by her supportive and nurturing “Dad and Mom”, Dr. William (Bill) Sr. and Betty Fricke, her sister Mary Ann Bossio and brother Richard Powell; and her dog Abby Rose.  Shirley was a 1959 graduate of Ken-High and went on to work at Alcoat until starting her family.  Shirley took pride in being a stay-at-home wife and mother, until the last child left home.  She actively supported her children as chaperone and treasurer of Top Hats Drum and Baton Corps of Lower Burrell over a span of 13 years.  After raising her children, she returned to school at New Ken Commercial School where she studied Medical Transcription.  She then went on to work for 22 years until her retirement at Allegheny Valley Hospital.  She was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Upper Burrell.  She was very close to her church family and enjoyed and appreciated all that they did for her.  Shirley was a member of the VFW in Freeport.  She was an avid gardener and enjoyed acting in the annual Hometown Christmas Musical at the Palace Theater in Vandergrift until she was 80.  She also had an entrepreneurial spirit with an endless number of crafts and ventures.  She was the eldest cast member at the age of 80.  She was blessed to marry her sweetheart in 1966 who has been her loving husband for 57 ½ years Alston R. Klingensmith.  Shirley is also survived by her children Alston R. Klingensmith, Shawn M. (Shelli) Klingensmith, Timothy L. (Jodi) Klingensmith and Jennifer (Ben) Martin; her grandchildren Ashley (Tim) McGrath, Mason Klingensmith, Caite Klingensmith, Elena Martin, Gemma Martin and Kade Martin; her siblings William (Alice) Fricke, Diane Reichel, Jim (Kathy) Fricke, Dana Bandurak, and Kim Powell, her cousin Forrest McQuilkin; her many special nieces and nephews and her special dog Holly.  Family and friends will be received on Friday March 15th from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at the Frank F. Gigler Funeral Home, Inc., Robert P. Karish Supervisor, 2877 Leechburg Road, Lower Burrell (724) 335-6500.  Additional visitation on Saturday from 11 a.m. until time of service at noon at the First Baptist Church, 3740 7th Street Road, Upper Burrell.  Interment to follow in Greenwood Memorial Park in Lower Burrell.   www.giglerfuneral.com.

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