Obituary of Shirley Vandervoort

Shirley (Edith) Vandervoort, 91, of Monticello, NY and snowbird of Indiantown, FL passed away Thursday, February 15, 2018 in Apopka, Florida. Born in Monticello to Arthur and Harriet Knapp on May 10, 1926, she attended Monticello High School and graduated in 1944. Shirley was a cheerleader in high school and her vibrant nature is visible even in black and white pictures. She was the only one with a sweater containing a cool argyle pattern. She was never afraid of bright colors, designs, and vivacious clothes. This was evidence of her personality – always alive and never boring! Shirley had numerous jobs. She babysat when she was 13, worked at the five-and-dime when she was 14, and started at the telephone company at age 16 as an operator. She eventually became an engineer at the telephone company. She was also a buyer for Hammond and Cooke. She met her husband, Jim Vandervoort, when she and her sister ditched an Eastern Star meeting in February of 1950. They were married May 26, 1950. Since she was still working at the telephone company and didn't want to miss work, she went to work with her hair up and proceeded to get married on Friday night. She continued to work at the telephone company, even while she was pregnant with her first born, Glenn Vandervoort. Shirley was a wonderful mother. She volunteered as the classroom Mom and would bake treats for the students. But, even while being a fantastic Mom and raising 3 children, she always worked. Some of her jobs included working in a bank, a dentist office, and she operated her own souvenir stand at Monticello Raceway. Mom was an excellent bowler and was in several leagues with her husband. She also was the secretary for several of those leagues which included posting of scores, figuring averages by hand and typing all the sheets with a manual typewriter weekly – hard to believe these days! Shirley loved golf, another activity she did with her husband, daughters, and her friends. She was in leagues in NY and Florida. Shirley golfed for many years, even after the passing of her husband and continued to age 91. Her favorite league was the "9 holers" and all the wonderful friendships made at Indianwood Golf Club. Shirley loved Disney and went nearly every year. She never tired of it. She was amazing as she rode most of the rides – again until age 91. Shirley went on Splash Mountain, Buzz Lightyear, Tower of Terror and many others. She was simply an amazing person. She loved the Flower and Garden Festival at Epcot and attended it for many years. Shirley loved life. Whether it was cruising, going to parties, going out to eat or simply enjoying time with friends and family. Shirley is preceded in death by her husband, Jim Vandervoort, her parents, Arthur and Harriett, one brother, Arthur Knapp, and two sisters, Bette and Bobbie. She is survived by a son, Glenn Vandervoort and fiancée Sandy Rinehart; daughter, Jamie Vandervoort and husband John Sohns; and daughter, Mari McMahon and husband Michael McMahon; a grandson, James Surrette Jr. and his fiancée Mollie Sandoval; great grandson, Connor Marteney; grand-dogs – Rudi and Bailey; and of course, her nieces and nephews, and many dear friends. Family & friends are invited to gather at the VanInwegen-Kenny Funeral Home, 401 Broadway in Monticello, NY on Sunday, February 18 from 2:00 to 5:00pm. A celebration of life will be held in Indiantown, Florida at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Monticello (NY) Fire Department or the SPCA of Rock Hill, NY. Arrangements are under the direction of the VanInwegen-Kenny, Inc. Funeral Home of Monticello NY; for additional information or to send an online condolence, please visit www.kennyfuneralhome.com