Shirley M. Bush

A visitation for Shirley will be held Sunday, August 8, 2021 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Harmon Funeral Home, 571 Forest Ave, Staten Island, NY 10310. A religious service will occur Monday, August 9, 2021 from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM, 571 Forest Ave, Staten Island, NY 10310. A committal service will occur Monday, August 9, 2021 from 1:15 PM to 1:45 PM at Moravian Cemetery, 2205 Richmond Road, Staten Island, NY 10306.

Shirley was born in Seaboard, NC on April 21, 1945 to John and Nellie Kee. She was the second oldest of six children. The family moved to Staten Island in 1957. Shirley attended and graduated from Port Richmond High School in 1963. Upon graduation, she worked for Met Life as a Secretary.

In October of 1965 she married her high school sweetheart Douglas J. Bush, Jr. At that time, they relocated to Norfolk, VA while her husband was stationed in the US Air Force. Shirley gave birth to three children: Trina in 1966, Douglas III in 1967, and Tonya in 1969. Sadly, Trina died shortly after birth.

In 1976, Shirley, Doug, and their young family moved from Staten Island to Somerset, NJ. She was a devoted stay at home Mother until 1978, when she returned to work as a secretary for Bell Labs, which became AT&T. Shirley later spent several years as a legal secretary for Johnson & Johnson in New Brunswick until she retired.

Shirley loved spending time with her family and could always be found in the kitchen cooking or baking something to fill your stomach with conversation to enrich your soul. Everyone was always welcome at Aunt Shirley’s house, regardless of whether it was temporary lodging, a meal that you needed, or someone to talk to.

Shirley is survived by her mother Nellie, 96, brothers John Kee, William Mack Kee, and Arklin Kee; sisters Clorinda Woods, and Margaret McLaughlin, children Douglas J Bush III, and Tonya Pemberton, son-in-law Steve Pemberton and daughter-in-law Kimberley Gillies-Bush, numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

The greatest joy of her life were her four grandchildren - Quinn Pemberton, Vaughn Pemberton, Kennedy Pemberton, and Angelina Bush. She was so proud of her grandchildren and the young adults they have become.

She will forever be in our hearts.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Lymphoma and Leukemia Society in memory of Shirley Bush www.givenowlls.org