Shirley Elizabeth Gillespie

WESTFIELD- Shirley Elizabeth Gillespie, 93, of Westfield, NY, passed away on Thursday, February 6, 2025, at St Vincent Hospital in Erie, PA. She was born March 18, 1931, in Ripley, NY, the daughter of the late Lester E. and Jesse M. Redding Gross.

Shirley was a graduate of Ripley Central School. She then worked for Lansmith Cherry Company in Ripley and then for Better Baked Foods in Westfield, where she retired from. She enjoyed reading, traveling, her flower gardens, raising her three sons and spending time with her grandchildren. One of her proudest accomplishments was helping all three of her sons to earn their Eagle Scout Badges.

Shirley is survived by her three sons, James Gillespie, Jack (Peggy) Gillespie, and Mark Gillespie, all of Westfield, five grandchildren, Misty (Josh) Torrey, Summer (Josh) Fredrick, Mandy (Jeremiah) Hall, Justin (Kathy) Gillespie, and Ryan (Kate) Gillespie, fifteen great-grandchildren, and one sister, Donna (Richard) VanGiesen. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Gillespie, whom she married on October 20, 1951, two great granddaughters, a sister, Marion Porter, and four brothers, Russell, Edwin, Leon, and Robert Gross.

At Shirley’s request, there will be no public services held. A private celebration of life will be held at the convenience of the family.

Memorial donations can be made to the Westfield Stray Cat Rescue (59 E. Main St, Westfield, NY 14787) or the Patterson Library (40 S. Portage St, Westfield, NY 14787).

To leave a remembrance or to post condolences to the family, please visit freayfuneralhome.com.