Shirley Safarek

SHIRLEY SAFAREK (nee Crowley) age 86, loving mother of Sandra and Pamela Safarek and wife of the late John Safarek, passed peacefully in her sleep on April 1st 2024. An aspiring writer, here is the beginning of her story in her own words: "I was born on either the ninth or tenth of October 1937. They said my brother Bill named me, but he was only two and a half and I doubt he was that precocious, even though our mother boasted about how smart he was. I think my parents had hopes of me emulating my namesake, Shirley Temple, SORRY!!! I was kind of the apple of my father's eye." Shirley was devastated by her father's death in 1943. She loved him with all her heart. Shirley spent the majority of her life in the Youngstown area before moving to the Cleveland area to be near her girls, Sandy and Pam. She loved animals and provided a loving home to both cats and dogs during her lifetime. She was an excellent cook and baker. Throughout her life she was an avid reader and gardener. In addition to her vegetable gardens and after becoming a widow in 1992, she spent over 15 summers expanding her flower beds to create a beautiful floral oasis. Above all else she was a dedicated and loving mom to not only her girls, Sandy and Pam, but also to their significant others Robert and Qasim whom she loved as her sons, her brothers Arnold and Jim who she helped raise, and the special needs preschool children of Youngstown City Schools where she was an aide for several years before retiring.Shirley's favorite poet was Emily Dickinson. It is fitting to end her story with one of her favorite poems. If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain; If I can ease one life the aching, Or cool one pain, Or help one fainting robin Unto his nest again, I shall not live in vain. Shirley leaves behind her daughters Sandra Safarek (Robert Lautner), Pamela Safarek (Qasim Shakoor), brothers William (Andrea) Crowley, James (Carole) Johnson and Arnold (Suzanne) Johnson; sister-in-law Frankie Crowley and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband (John Safarek), her brothers Matthew Crowley and Eugene Crowley, her parents William Crowley and Wanda Armbruster and her beloved cats (Mitsi and Maggie) and dogs (Muffin and Elvis). Funeral service will be held at 5 PM Friday April 5th, at THE DiCICCO AND SONS FUNERAL HOME 5975 MAYFIELD RD. MAYFIELD HTS., OHIO, where the family will receive friends from 3 TO 5 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donating to Animal Charity of Ohio. Online condolences and guest registry at www.diciccoandsonsfh.com