MANCHESTER, Vt. - Shirley Jean (Barney) Jenks, 92, of Manchester Center, Vermont, passed away peacefully on Monday, Nov. 21, 2022.

She was born on June 21, 1930, in Nineveh Junction, and was the daughter of the late Lynn Barney and Irene Hayes Barney.

She spent her childhood years in and around Oneonta, and graduated from Otego High School in a class of 15, in 1947.

After high school, she went to work for New York Telephone in Binghamton. She grew to love her job as an operator before and after "dials" were developed. She assigned a telephone number to her friend and future sister-in-law, Elaine Barnum, as well as Elaine's brother and her future husband Neilan F. Jenks who she met in 1955. They were married on June 9, 1956, in Endicott. They remained happily married for 51 years in East Glenville, living a hearty life until Neil's death in 2007.

Shirley enjoyed sewing, crafting, knitting, and crocheting. She also found a love for quilting and garnered a respected reputation for her attention to detail. She loved making baby gifts for new parents such as hats, booties, bibs, blankets and quilts.

She served as a Girl Scout leader for many years. She also loved to read. She especially enjoyed historical novels and later in life reading recipe books. And she very much enjoyed corresponding with family and friends through writing letters.

Shirley was always up for a card game or a board game. She enjoyed ice skating, and backyard games such as badminton and croquet.

Above all, she was a loving mother who filled her days with the joys and rewards of her keen innate skills. Her children will forever be grateful for her loving devotion.

Everyone who met Shirley later in life, said she was a wonderful, sweet person with a ready smile, a kind word, and a good sense of humor.

Shirley is survived by her son, Kyle D. Jenks; daughter, Allison J. (Mark) Labate and her granddaughter, Samantha Marie Labate.

Shirley was predeceased by her loving brother, Robert Barney and her dear sister and best friend, Marilyn Cullum.

Relatives and friends are invited and may call from 10 to 11 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 29, at Townley & Wheeler Funeral Home, 21 Midline Road, Ballston Lake.

A service will honor her life at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Judith A. Thistle, chaplain from A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital officiating followed by a procession to Hartwick Cemetery in Hartwick, where Shirley will be laid to rest next to her husband at 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Neighbor to Neighbor, P.O. Box 226, Manchester Center, Vermont 05255, www.neighbortoneighbor.org With confidence, the family has placed their trust in the loving care of the Townley & Wheeler Funeral Home, 21 Midline Road, Ballston Lake, and they encourage you to view and leave messages on Shirley's Book of Memories at www.TownleyWheelerFH.com