Shirley Almira (Williams) Jefferson, wife of the late Dr. Milton T. Jefferson of Liverpool, Town of Salina, died on Thursday, October 31, 2024.  She was a native of Massachusetts where her father's family settled in 1634.

Shirley always had the United Methodist Church as the center of her spiritual life. First in Lafayette Street Methodist Church, Salem MA, and First Methodist Church Lynn, MA where she proudly told everyone that the bell in the steeple was cast by Paul Revere! Later, she was affiliated with churches in Central New York where her husband served as Pastor.

Her formal education took place at Boston University School of Management, New York School of Interior Design, International Business Machines Training and Eisenhower College Summer School for Women's Studies.

She was a member of the Order of Rainbow for Girls, an organization affiliated with the Masonic Order, as well as a former member of the Order of the Eastern Star. These brought new and lasting friendships to her life.

While a student at Boston University, she met Milton Tennyson Jefferson. They later married, and together, shared the Boston University School of Theology seminary experience.

Milton Jefferson served three churches in his 35 year professional career and Shirley served as the helpmate. Community involvement afforded her further personal growth and new avenues for her many talents. She held leadership positions in her Church Conference and its women's work.

Personal time was spent reading, pursuing antiques, researching family genealogy, gravestone rubbing, creative writing and preparing and presenting programs on these subjects for church and community groups.

She was active in the Republican Party and held the office of Onondaga County Republican Committee Vice Chair for Women, and was later elected Secretary of the County Organization. She served as President of the Onondaga County Women's Republican Club and was a Founding Member of Republican Women of Central New York. For 20 years she served her neighborhood as local Republican Committee Woman. She was honored to attend six Republican National Conventions either as Delegate or Delegate at Large. These were historic experiences she always treasured.

She was a member for many years, as well as the former President of Liverpool Historical Society, and Vice President of Historical Association of Greater Liverpool. She was a former Board Member and Officer of Friends of Historic Onondaga Lake. With Kenneth Hurst, she was Co-Chairman of the reconstruction of Liverpool's Johnson Park, the Bi-Centennial Celebration and instituted the "Liverpool Is The Place" summer programs. She was a member of Asa Danforth Chapter National Society of Daughters of American Revolution and served as Vice Regent.

After being a homemaker for many years, she took employment in the offices of the New York State Assembly Minority Leader and Assemblyman Bernard Mahoney.

Shirley was honored by the Post Standard as a Woman of Achievement for her Citizenship. The New York State Federation of Republican Women chose her as Woman of the Year; the Village of Liverpool honored her as an Outstanding Citizen; she was designated a member of the Onondaga County Republican Hall of Fame; and recognized as an Outstanding Republican Woman for Town of Salina. The Liverpool Library recognized her as a Liverpool Legend.

She is survived by a sister-in-law, Gertrude Hummel; several nieces and nephews; and many friends who enriched her life.

Calling hours will be Tuesday, November 12, 2024 from 10:00 am – 11:00 am at the Maurer Funeral Home, 300 Second St., Liverpool, NY 13088 with funeral services to follow at 11:00 am. Burial will take place in Liverpool Village Cemetery.

Contributions may be made to McHarrie Life Foundation Activities Fund, 7740 Meigs Road, Baldwinsville, NY 13027.

Please sign the Maurer Funeral Home online guestbook for Shirley to express your condolences to her family.