Shirley Ernest

Shirley Ernest, beloved wife, devoted, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, teacher, friend and role model, passed away Monday, December 6, 2010. She was the 86 year old lady with the smile. Shirley grew up in Poughkeepsie, New York with her mother and father, Eva and George Tofel, and sister, Joan. She graduated from Syracuse University where she met the love of her life, Charles Ernest. After the war, they were married and settled in Far Rockaway, New York. Together they raised their two "shining rubies", Elisabeth and Patricia. She returned to school for her Master's Degree, which she earned from New York State University at New Paltz. Shirley was a teacher for 30 years for the Rockville Centre School District, teaching 5th grade at Wilson School. Her joy was to help and nurture young people to reach their fullest potential and as the years went by, many a young professional would return to visit her and thank her for all she had done to contribute to their schooling. Shirley was a loving and cuddly mother, always ready for an adventure with her children and then subsequently, her grandchildren. It was the joy of her later years to become a great-grandmother. She loved the theater, art, reading, ballet, opera, shopping, "eating out", and sitting on her boat , the Elisapat, with her Charlie. Shirley was a member of Temple Israel of Brevard, Hadassah, the Red Hat Society, and a supporter of many charities. Shirley is survived by her sister, Joan Reifler; daughter, Elisabeth Kalogris and her husband, Michael; daughter, Pat Hickman and her husband, Ray; grandchildren, Ali McCloud and her husband, Chris, Katherine Cipriano and her husband, Frank, Jennifer Hickman and Gabrielle Chuchro and her husband, Rob; great-grandson, Finn McCloud; nieces, Judy and Susan Reifler; and nephew, Scott Reifler; grand-nieces and nephews, and many special and devoted friends. The funeral will take place on Long Island, New York followed by Shiva at the home of Cantor Patricia Hickman. In lieu of flowers, please honor Shirley's memory by making contributions to Temple Israel of Brevard, 631-9494.