Shirley Ann (Crosby) Kitson
January 4, 1927 - July 8, 2020
Shirley Ann (Crosby) Kitson, age 93, of Newark, DE, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 8, 2020.
Born in Bonshaw, Prince Edward Island (PEI) Canada on January 4, 1927, she was the daughter of the late Everett and Mary (Smith) Crosby. Shirley grew up on the family farm and the Crosby Mills. This complex included at various times carding, shingle, saw, grist, and electric power mills. Shirley graduated from Prince of Wales College (UPEI) in 1945 with a Teaching Certificate.
Shirley married Fulton George Kitson on July 7, 1948. Fulton had served in the Royal Canadian Air Force during WWII. They made their first home together in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, while Fulton completed his chemistry degree at Acadia University. They then moved to Ottawa, ON, then to Wilmington, DE, and eventually to Fairfield in Newark, DE. Shirley and Fulton enjoyed traveling across the United States, Canada, and Europe, and visiting and being visited by family and friends. They enjoyed dancing, bridge, and other social activities. Shirley took up both tennis and golf in her later years. She loved to entertain and was a wonderful cook.
Shirley treasured her many friendships with members of First Presbyterian Church in Newark, Newark Century Club, fellow DuPont retiree families, and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews in her extended family. She maintained her participation in activities at the Newark Senior Center. She attended many performances and sporting events with Bob’s family. For many years, Shirley traveled to North Carolina to visit Terry’s family. She was always a welcome, helpful, and cheerful guest. She very much enjoyed visits with her grandchildren.
Shirley spent her last few years at Foulk Manor South with Christine’s parents, Walt and Dixie Curtice. The family would like to thank the staff at White Chapel in Newark, the team at Foulk Manor South in Wilmington, and the Vitas Hospice for assisting in Shirley’s care for the past ten years.
After a marriage of 62 years, Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, Fulton; son, James; brothers, Andrew, Jamie, Heath, Ernie and Gordon; and sisters, Isabel, Marie and Elizabeth. Shirley is survived by three of her sons, Terry (Paula) of Chapel Hill, NC, Frederick (Tami) of Littleton, CO and Robert (Christine) of Newark, DE; nine grandchildren, Jennifer, Ryan, Sherry, Rachel, Emma, Christopher, Joy, Hunter and Sara; five great-grandchildren, Leroy, Miles, Logan, Aidan, and Jack; and her sister, Judith.
A public visitation will be held from 12 noon until 1:30 pm on Saturday, July 18, 2020, at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 121 West Park Place, Newark, DE, where a funeral service will begin at 1:30 pm. Interment will be held privately. Face masks will be required for all in attendance.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Shirley’s memory to First Presbyterian Church, 292 W. Main Street, Newark, DE 19711.
June Rigden
Dear Bob, Fred, Terry and families, Steve and I are so sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. I still remember the many fun visits we looked forward to each summer, her smile that lit up the room, her sweet laughter, and her ability to feed us all so effortlessly in your lovely home. Thanks for all the fond memories with Aunt Shirley and Uncle Fulton and you. We are thinking about you. Mum sends her sympathies. She was saddened to hear the news.
Roger &Donna Kitson
Sorry for your loss….many happy memories of Fulton and Shirley.
Della Green
My thoughts and prayers are with you all. I have great memories of your Mom & Dad, always loved their visits.
Della Kitson Green
Bob and Linda Reiser
Our condolences to Shirley’s family. We had many good times and trips with Shirley and Fulton over the years. Fulton and Bob both worked for DuPont, both specializing in Mass Spectrometry. We became good friends at work, and socially with Shirley and Linda. We especially remember trips to San Francisco, San Diego (along with Bob), and Hawaii. We enjoyed Shirley and Fulton’s company at each others houses, going out to restaurants, and traveling. We have very fond memories.
Bob and Linda Reiser
Andrea MacKenzie Greenan
Dear Terry , Fred and Bobby,
We are so sorry to read of Shirleys death it’s never easy no matter how old we are to loose our mother . I have the very fondest of childhood memories visiting your home in Delaware and family visits on PEI . Both your parents were kind gentle souls who embraced their nieces and nephews as their own . We are keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers .
Andrea , Clarence and boys
Glenda(Kitson) and Vernon Frizzell
Dear Terry, Frederick, Robert and families:
Thinking of you at this difficult time and offering our most sincere sympathy on the death of your beloved mother. May your wonderful memories of time spent with her and the support of family and friends be a source of comfort to you at this time.
Glenda (Kitson) and Vernon Frizzell, PEI
Amy Keach
We are sorry to hear of Shirley’s death. She welcomed us to the “Carpenter’s house” across the street 12 years ago. We remember her – and Fulton – fondly. Shirley could put herself together like no other woman I have known. May she rest in peace with Fulton and her son.
Marlene {Kitson} Andrews
Sorry for your loss, many happy memories of Fulton and Shirley.
Marlene [Kitson] Andrews
marilyn salmond mac phail
The Family of Shirley Kitson,
Remembering Shirley with kind thoughts of our days in the Bonshaw, Prince Edward Island one room school house of long ago. With Sympathy, Sincerely, Marilyn Salmond Mac Phail, Cornwall, Prince Edward Island
Tracy Crosby1
Sad to learn of Shirley’s passing. Such a beautiful lady and Aunt. Last time I saw her was in Halifax NS in 1995 as she and Uncle Fulton attended our wedding. Rest in peace Aunt Shirley, condolences to my cousins and families. xxx
Susan Gaudin
I remember Aunt Shirley as a beautiful gracious lady. She sure made us feel welcome when we came to visit. I remember once she made spaghetti (my favorite meal). I like hearing the stories of how she sent to college. We all will miss her.
Susanne(Mac Leod)Oakes & Lowell Oakes
Terry, Fred,Bob and Families,
May the wonderful memories of your Mom’s love bring you comfort at this time. I remember Aunt Shirley as a beautiful,caring woman with a beautiful smile.
Susanne (Mac Leod) Oakes
Lynn Crosby
Terry, Fred, Bob and families,
Shirley’s acts of “Grace”will “live on” forever. Glad to have known her as my Aunt.
Last time they visited my cottage was their 60th Wedding Anniversary year.
We went out for lunch and I knew Shirley never lost her “Maritime Flavor”
when she ordered up a Lobster Burger Platter.
We always enjoyed their PEI visits and it will always be treasured that they
never forgot their “roots” on PEI.
God Bless you all as you grieve the passing of your dear Mother, Mother-in- law and Grandmother
Love Lynn Crosby
Lynn Crosby
Terry, Fred Bob and Families
Shirley’s acts of “Grace” will “live on” forever. Glad to have known her as my Aunt.
Last time they visited me at my cottage was their 60th Wedding Anniversary Year.
We went out for lunch and I knew Shirley never lost her “Maritime Flavor” as she ordered
up a Lobster Burger Platter.
We always enjoyed our visits to Delaware and theirs to PEI. It will always be “treasured”that
they never forgot their “roots” on PEI.
God Bless you all as you grieve the passing of your dear Mother, Mother-in-law, and Grandmother
Love Lynn
PS
Mom, (Hazel, Heath’s wife) sends her heartfelt condolences as she recalls many happy memories together.
Shirley(MacLeod)Inglis
Hoping memories of love and will shine through your sorrow and bring you comfort at this time.
Caring thoughts,
Shirley(Mac Leod)Inglis Vancouver BC
Paulette (Kitson) and David Waddell
We hope you all can find comfort in good memories as we have lots of your mom and dad on PEI. Please accept our heartfelt condolences during this time and sending you all lots of hugs.
Jeff MacDonald
Prayers and condolences to the family from Marie’s family in Toronto, ON