Shirley A. Tilburg

Shirley A. Tilburg, 81, of Fredonia, died Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 4, 2017, at Brooks Memorial Hospital.

She was born October 18, 1935, in Fredonia, Daughter of the late Stephen and Antoinette (Krolowski) Przytula.A retired employee of Tops Markets and Harvestview Market and Greenhouses, Shirley had also worked to harvest grapes with her family at Siebert Farms.

Her memberships include St. Joseph R.C. Church, Moose Lodge #89, Kosciuszko Polish Club, where her father was one of the 5 founding members, also a member of the Tops bowling team that was in many tournaments. From being an employee of Tops and then onto Harvestview Market, Shirley enjoyed working with the public. At Harvestview, Shirley enjoyed working with her niece Carol Willebrandt and her family and she brought her green thumb and made everything look beautiful. She worked hard all her life and taught her children to do the same. Shirley will be missed by many but her love will be in our hearts forever.

Surviving is her husband of 63 years, Kenneth G. Tilburg, of Fredonia, whom she married September 25, 1954. Children Dan (Lisa) Tilburg of Fredonia, Sharon Tilburg (Robert Serens) of Rochester; sister Lillian Polasik of Dunkirk; brother John Przytula of Fredonia; grandchildren Alisha (Joe) Brenecki of Fredonia, Laura (Mitchell Liegerot) Tilburg of Rochester, Stacey (Kenneth) Betts of Fredonia, Christopher Ricotta of Fort Mill, South Carolina; Great-grandchildren Deegan and Ronan Brenecki, Dominik Betts, Emilyn Ricotta. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.Preceded in death, in addition to her parents, were sisters Julia Gaszynski, Helen Bielicki, Genevieve Siebert; and brothers Peter and Aloysius Przytula.

Relatives and friends are welcome to call TODAY from 4-7 p.m. at the R. Mackowiak Funeral Home Inc., 56 East Doughty St. in Dunkirk. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday at noon at St. Joseph R.C. Church. Interment will be in Forest Hill Cemetery.

Flowers are declined and memorials can be made to Brooks Memorial Hospital Dialysis Unit.