In Memory of Shirley L. Hunziker

Obituary

Shirley L. Hunziker, 94, passed away peacefully at the LutheranHome in Clinton, NY, on February 13, 2026. She leaves behind family and a great many friends who loved her and will miss her greatly.

A lifelong resident of New Hartford, NY, Shirley was born on March 25, 1931, in Utica, NY, to Louise (Bartlett) Hunziker and Raymond E. Hunziker, Sr. She had an older brother, Raymond E. Hunziker, Jr., to whom she was very close. Among many other things, they enjoyed summers at their uncle’s cabin on Oneida Lake along with their cousin, Pauline Vincent.

Shirley graduated from New Hartford High School in 1949, and briefly worked as a receptionist for an auto dealership, but spent the majority of her professional career as an office manager for Dr. Hobart Parkhurst, a local dermatologist. After retirement, she also worked at Rite Aid.

Shirley indeed had many friends, and often it seemed that she knew almost everyone in New Hartford! In her youth, her closest friends were probably the Hecox sisters: twins Hilda and Muriel, and Kathy (Philo). After the twins passed, Kathy continued to make sure Shirley was always invited to holiday dinners and other occasions. Shirley was also very active in the New Hartford Presbyterian Church, where friends such as Ruth Head and Jill Breckel faithfully sent her cards, letters, and The Upper Room Publication. Liz Worth and Pastor Hannah visited her often at the Presbyterian Home and later at the Lutheran Home, for which they have the family’s eternal gratitude. Her former roommate at the Presbyterian Home, Mimi, and many other residents treasured their friendship with Shirley.

Perhaps more than anything else, Shirley adored her nephews. Her brother moved to Cleveland for work after serving in WWII and Korea, where he married Roseanne (O’Neill) and welcomed three sons: Raymond III, Richard, and Charles. Shirley was a doting aunt, and welcomed them to her home with her mother many times over the decades. She never failed to send birthday cards with a cash gift to the boys. Even in her later years, when money was tight, she would still send whatever little she could spare.

Shirley also loved animals, especially horses, and enjoyed reading horse books and stories. Her home was never without at least one cat (often several) and a dog. She enjoyed watching birds and other wildlife, and frequently sent her nephew Ray, also a nature lover, clippings from the local paper about nature and animals, and always gifted subscriptions to The Conservationist.

Shirley was predeceased by her mother Louise, father Raymond, Sr., brother Raymond, Jr., and sister-in-law Roseanne. She is survived by her nephews, Raymond III, Richard, and Charles, niece-in-law Aimee (Troyer), grandnephew Daniel, and grandniece Kathleen (Gregg) and her husband Ken.

Shirley shone as a bright light in the lives of all who knew her. She was confident and outspoken but also had a tremendous sense of humor and easily made people laugh. She will be remembered with love by all.

A memorial service will be held at New Hartford Presbyterian Church on Friday, March 6, 2026, at 11:00 AM. Burial will be held at a later date, to be determined, in New Forest Hill Cemetery. Shirley will be interred there with her beloved mother.

In Shirley’s memory, please consider donating to Anita’s Stevens Swan Humane Society (anitas-sshs.org), or to the New Hartford Presbyterian Church (newhartfordpresbyterian.org) she loved so well, whose congregation tirelessly cares for the sick, elderly, and others in need in the community.

Online messages of sympathy may be left at www.fwefh.com