Shirley May (Sawyer) Oldfield

Shirley May (Sawyer) Oldfield, 91, a longtime resident of Youngstown, New York, returned to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, in the Niagara Hospice Wing of Northgate Healthcare Facility in North Tonawanda, NY.   Born on July 7, 1933, in Niagara Falls, NY, she was the daughter of the late Isabel and William J. Sawyer, Sr and the wife of the late Gordon James Oldfield, whom she met in June of 1953 and married in St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Niagara Falls, NY on November 7, 1953.  Gordon predeceased her on September 28, 1998 after 45 years of marriage.

Shirley is survived by her three children, Randy (Larry) Walck, Jeffrey (Brenda) Oldfield and Kris (Gregory) Jordan; grandchildren, Jennifer (Daniel) Stewart, Joel (Jennifer) Oldfield, Heather (Andrew) Cavaretta and Casey (Dylan) Thompson; seven great-grandchildren, Zachary, Sofia and Olivia Stewart, Henry Oldfield and Lily, Jack and Ryan Cavaretta. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.

She was pre-deceased by her sisters, Dorothy Sawyer, Louise (Chuck) Mayville and Irene (Jerry) McClain; her brothers, William J. Jr. (Mary) Sawyer, Arthur (Joyce) Sawyer and Kenneth (Dolores and Joan) Sawyer.

Shirley graduated with high honors from Niagara Falls High School in June of 1951 and worked at the John P. Hancock General Insurance Company for 4 years prior to and during her marriage.

She sold Avon for 7 years and became Parish Secretary at the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, Niagara Falls, for 21 ½ years.  In 1987 she and her husband moved to Youngstown, NY where she became a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church in 1999 where she served as a Eucharistic Minister, Acolyte, Lector, Usher, Vestry member, Financial Secretary, Deanery representative and as Chairman of the Outreach Committee and introduced the “Mitten Tree”.

One of her greatest passions was “Feeding the Hungry” and buying food weekly and along with St. John’s sent food to the Ransomville Care & Share Food Pantry.  She was also an Election Inspector for Niagara County and the Village of Youngstown. She was an avid reader, loved crossword and jigsaw puzzles and coloring.  She was an avid New York Yankees, Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres fan.  She especially loved her matinee idol, Cary Grant.

All are welcome to gather for visitation on Sunday, from 3-7 p.m., at the OTTO REDANZ FUNERAL HOME, 2215 Military Road, Niagara Falls, NY (716-297-9007). Shirley’s funeral service will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Youngstown, NY, on Monday, July 22nd at 11:00 a.m., with the Rev. Barbara Price officiating. Family and friends invited. Interment will follow in Niagara Falls Memorial Park Cemetery, Lewiston, NY.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. John’s Episcopal Church, Youngstown, the Ransomville Care and Share Food Pantry, Niagara Hospice or The Youngstown Firehall.

Shirley’s family has entrusted her care to the Goodlander family.  Share condolences and view her tribute video at GOODLANDERCARES.com 

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