Shirley (Sears) Mills, 96, received her angel wings on April 23, 2024.  Shirley was born in Syracuse and lived 42 years in Fayetteville.
     She graduated in 1945 from Central Tech High School and, in 1949, received her BA in Business Administration from Syracuse University.  She was a proud alum and member of Alpha Omicron Pi sorority.
     She worked early in her career at GE and finished her career at FM High School as Guidance Office Administrator.
     She had many passions, including her family, church, singing, playing piano, swimming, and cheering on SU sports.  She and husband, John, were longtime football and basketball season ticket holders.  In later life, she proudly wore her blue/orange SU gear to cheer on the teams via TV.  She played the SU alma mater on her piano when SU won!
     She was a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church of Syracuse.  Her volunteer service included American Baptist Church State Association, Interfaith Works refugee resettlement, Meals on Wheels, and Girl Scouts, among many others.
     Shirley was predeceased by husband, John in 1989 and infant son, Charles.  Survivors include daughters, Cheryl and Kathy (Mark); 3 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; special friend, Robin Crayton; and too many friends to count.
     She truly enjoyed people and learning about them.  When she asked, “How are you?” she meant it.  Her desire to learn and adapt to a changing world was a lifelong trait.  She was an angel on Earth and is now an angel in Heaven.
     The family is grateful to the entire Nottingham community for providing a safe, compassionate, and stimulating neighborhood while Shirley was independent, and to the Nottingham Skilled Nursing Unit for their love and kindness as she declined.
     A memorial service is being planned for the future, and details will be announced closer to the date.
     In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in Shirley’s memory to Interfaith Works CNY or to the “Nottingham Residents Forum Holiday Employee Fund.”