Shirley Muddiman

Shirley Lawrence Muddiman, born April 29, 1929 died November 26, 2013 at the age of 84 in Sarasota, Florida. She was previously a longstanding resident of Delaware and Pittsburgh, PA. She was born of the late Charles G. W. Lawrence and Florence Ann (Brothers). Shirley is survived by a son, David Muddiman of Newark, Delaware, a daughter, Dr. Elizabeth “Betsy” Muddiman Cefalu, a son in law Jim Cefalu, of Sarasota, Florida, two granddaughters, Rachel Elizabeth Cefalu and Grace Ann Cefalu, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her ex-husband and friend, Jack, her sister Audrey Ransom in 2012, and brother Charles “Bud” Lawrence.

Shirley had fond childhood memories of riding the Dips rollercoaster in West View Park and picking cherries with her siblings for her mother to make jam. She graduated from West View High School then rode the street car several hours each day to attend Carnegie Mellon University where she graduated with a degree in Secretarial Teacher training. She was a private secretary for many prominent figures. She moved to Delaware at the age of 27 and began her teaching career. She was proud to be a second grade school teacher and quickly earned her Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Delaware. She met her husband Jack while pursuing her love of singing. She then devoted her life to the care of her two children and always showed great hospitality to her children’s friends.

Shirley loved to live life abundantly. She was an excellent cook and leaves a legacy of great recipes. She was an avid gardener of flowers, vegetables and plants. She was musically talented and enjoyed singing in the choir at school and the Academy of Lifelong Learning and beautifully throughout our family home. She was faithful and committed to her Lord and lived a Spirit filled life. She loved quality and was thorough. Her claims to fame include meeting President G. W. Bush, walking the Great Wall of China and even swimming and medaling in the Delaware Senior Olympics and swimming in Nationals! Her many volunteer activities include being a 15 year volunteer at the Opera House, a Lay Reader and Eucharistic Minister at Immanuel Church, being on the Board of Directors of the American Association of University Women, being on the board of the North Star Swim Club, and helping officiate Public Elections amongst others! She was classy, refined and gracious. We love you mom. You were our friend. You will be deeply missed.

Memorial services will be held at Sarasota Baptist Church, 7091 Proctor Road, Sarasota, Florida 34241 on December 19, 2013 at 7 pm and also at Immanuel Highlands Church, 2400 W. 17th Street, Wilmington, DE 19806 on January 11, 2014 at 11 am with gathering to follow.