Shirley Rebecca Cushnyr

Shirley Rebecca Cushnyr (Bihlajama), matriarch of the Cushnyr family, wife of the late Cornelius Cushnyr, mother to Cynthia Cannizzaro, Brian and Brad Cushnyr, and mother-in-law of Karen Cushnyr. Grandmother of Kyle, Ryan, Megan, and Stacie Cannizzaro, Linnea and Zack Adamson, Asa Keyes, Annika Cushnyr, and Rebecca, and the late Louie Niksick; great-grandmother of Reagan and Cornelia Cannizzaro, Drew Parker, Douglas Niksick, and Nicholas Adamson, died on August 19, 2018 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, after a prolonged battle with dementia at the age of 93.

Shirley was born in Ashtabula, Ohio in 1925. She married Cornelius (Frank) at the conclusion of WWII, and they were married for over 68 years. They lived most of their adult lives in Lyndhurst, Ohio, wintering in Venice, Florida after retirement. Shirley enjoyed an active and loving life. She was an avid reader, long time golfer, and together with Cornelius participated in couples bowling leagues for many decades. She was an amazing mother and grandmother. Known and loved for her infectious laugh, great sense of humor, spirited discussions, smiles, hugs and warm welcomes for all. She was always singing, had a great sense of fashion, and was also known for her cooking skills, most memorably, her amazing balish (a treasured holiday pastry), and her haluska. Shirley’s home was a special place, and even more so during the holidays, where music was always in the air, and love was always in abundance. She never met a stranger. She is irreplaceable to her family, and leaves a great space in our hearts. She was preceded in death by her husband, Cornelius; son, Gregory; grandson, Brian; her sister, Maxine, and her parents, Urho and Mary Bihlajama.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation, in Shirley’s name, to the Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org

FRENCH – Westside
9300 Golf Course Rd NW
505-897-0300