Shirley J. Garay

SHIRLEY J. (MALLOY) GARAY, 94, Longtime Resident of Bakerton, PA, peacefully ascended to Heaven from Lakewood Ranch, FL on September 16, 2026. Shirley was born in St. Benedict, PA, to parents Ethel (Martin) and Patrick Malloy.

Shirley attended Carrolltown High School, where she was enthusiastically involved in extracurricular programs. She shared her vibrant spirit as a cheerleader, a majorette, and a drum majorette. She showcased her piano skills as she regularly accompanied music teacher Joseph Boes at school events and at the Sunset Ballroom prior to performances by national touring acts such as the Dorsey Brothers and Glenn Miller. She remained involved with her classmates as she assisted them in planning and attending their class reunions, until 2020.

Upon her graduation in 1950, Shirley was hand-selected by the First National Bank of Bakerton’s president to work as an Assistant Cashier. This led to an eight-year banking career that included serving as an auditor and as a secretary of the Western Pennsylvania Group of the National Association of Bank Women. She spoke for decades about how much she had learned from Mr. Fred Buck, her first mentor and supervisor. Her work experience also included ticket selling at the Carrolltown Drive-In Theater box office and early retail experience at Murphy’s 5 & 10.

Shirley met Williiam Garay of Hastings, PA, early in high school. Their romance blossomed while they turned heads as a graceful couple on the hardwood floors of the roller skating rink. They married in a candlelight ceremony in 1953 at the St. Benedict Presbyterian Church, followed by a honeymoon to New York City. The first of five children arrived in 1955.

Shirley and Bill shared an entrepreneurial journey. In 1956, they introduced Garay’s Store, a general store selling everything from penny candy to steel-toed miners’ boots. Shirley’s parents became the first two store “employees.” Shirley loved driving to the Pittsburgh and Altoona warehouses to purchase “special order” items for her customers. The store closed when Shirley retired in 1998. She and Bill had simultaneously operated the Garay Coal Company.

Shirley served her Lord in multiple ways. She used her musical talents as the primary organist and choir director at the Bakerton United Methodist Church for 60-plus years. Because she loved children, a fond church memory was watching them sing “Jesus Loves Me” and perform in the Christmas Advent programs. She was often a substitute organist at additional local churches. Her faith and belief in The Lord was the true compass for her life’s work and her morals. She also used her vocal talent as a member of the Altoona Chorus, a Sweet Adelines International chapter, from 1985 until 2002, serving as the Chorus’s secretary.

Shirley’s insatiable curiosity, love of learning, and a compelling desire to travel led her to involvement in numerous Bible Study classes, local continuing education coursework, and countless journeys. She was determined to see the world, ultimately visiting all 50 states, multiple countries, and four of the seven continents. She traveled the globe by car, bus, plane, train, and ship. She also enjoyed writing poetry, solving jigsaw puzzles, playing Bridge and other card games, being a member of the Masonic Widows’ Guild, attending community folk festivals and concerts, and visiting with family and friends across the nation.

Throughout her life, Shirley treasured her family dearly. Whether rocking her babies, singing and playing the piano at family gatherings, dancing with her husband Bill, providing new and unique opportunities for her children, or giggling with her grandchildren, she shared endless love and taught many life lessons, giving her family a strong foundation for life.

Shirley was known for her radiant red hair, her smile, her warm, cheerful nature, and a genuine kindness that extended to everyone she met. She possessed remarkable resilience and a vibrant spirit, grounded by her deep faith and an open, giving heart. Her legacy shines brightly through the family she adored, leaving a lasting impact as a devoted daughter, sister, spouse, mother, aunt, and grandmother across multiple generations. Those who experienced her positive impact will forever cherish her memory and feel the profound loss of her presence.

Shirley is survived by her five children: Janice Funyak (Jim), William (Michele Toskey), Lori Peterson (Brian), Aimee (Dennis Molly), and Craig (Linda Malich), along with ten grandchildren: Janna Johnson (Robert), Justin Funyak, Jimmy Funyak, Miranda Kofelt (Drew), Brenna Schaefer (John), William Garay Jr., Lindsay Peterson (Sam High), Lauren Ciferri (Matthew), Eric Peterson, Kyle Garay, and four great-grandchildren: Molly and Anthony Johnson, Micah Garay Garcia, and Rodney Brian Ciferri. She was reunited in Heaven with husband William, her mother and father, and her five siblings: Margaret Sullivan, Patrick Malloy, Jack Malloy, Merle Malloy, and Phyllis Mohler.

No local services will be held. She will be laid to rest with her husband in Northern Cambria, PA.