Shirley Lee Pierce passed away peacefully in Fayetteville on July 10, 2021.
Shirley was a loving mother, mother-in-law, grandmother and great-grandmother. She is survived by her children, Will (wife Marilou) Pierce, Barbara Palmer, John Pierce, Jane (husband Pat) Leonardo and Patricia (former spouse Mark) Casella, along with nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
She was the widow of George Terry (KIA Korean War,) ex-wife of Willard E. Pierce (deceased) and spent 27 years with longtime partner Charles Dixson (deceased.)
Shirley was born in Fayetteville on Aug. 28, 1925, to Genevieve Snook and William Abbott. She spent most of her childhood at the Snook family home in Fayetteville, surrounded by loving aunts, uncles and grandparents. She spoke her entire life of the joys of growing up at Snook’s Pond and the wonderful summers working as a lifeguard at Snook’s Pond Club.
Shirley was a graduate of Fayetteville High School where she was voted “Girl with the Best Personality.” She attended Syracuse University and was proud to be a sister in Alpha Xi Delta Sorority. While at Syracuse University, she met and married George William Terry, decorated WWII captain. They became proud parents to Will and Barbara. After George Terry was killed in the Korean War, Shirley and children moved to Binghamton to be near her mother Genevieve and stepfather Nelson E. Robinson. Shirley married attorney Willard E. Pierce and they welcomed the births of John, Jane and Patti.
Shirley and longtime partner, Charlie Dixson, created a welcoming home on the Susquehanna River for family and friends. Filled with beautiful gardens, a tree house, play house (the “Doll House”) for tea parties and dress up, summer porch, croquet course and a putting green, it was a showplace. Her greatest joy in life was having family and friends together. Shirley had a wonderful sense of humor, loved entertaining and enjoyed her scotch and water along with a good joke. She was an active real estate broker and enjoyed many hobbies such as gardening, cards, travel and cooking, along with social activities such as the DAR, Bridge Club, Gourmet Group, Cottage Group, Monday Afternoon Club, Junior League and many garden clubs. She was loved dearly and will be missed by many.
The family will hold a private burial. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, act.Alz.org/donate.
