Obituary of Shirley E. Strickland

Shirley E. Strickland, 85, of Dryden, passed away on August 3, 2022 at the Guthrie Cortland Medical Center. She was born on June 18, 1937 in McLean, NY to her parents the late Olaf Rosevelt Syvertsen and Elizabeth Welch. Shirley was a resident of the Cortland and Groton areas most of her life. She was a member of the Cortland Chapter of Disabled American's Auxiliary 153 and Cortland Moose Club. Shirley enjoyed the Cortland Music Park and would attend often. She loved spending time with her daughter, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Surviving her are her daughter Karen (Denny) Sandifur of Port Orange, FL; brother Tom (Cyndy) Syvertsen of Chadsford, PA; two grandchildren Jennifer (Dan) Dean of Groton, NY and James (Chandelle) Foote of Farmington Minnesota; great grandchildren Sarah Dean of Groton, NY, Christian Foote, Braxton Foote, and McKinley Foote, all of Farmington, MN; a niece, nephew, sister-in-law and brother-in-law. She was pre-deceased by her parents Olaf and Elizabeth Syvertsen, as well as her loving husband William Alan Strickland, who passed away on December 24, 1990. Shirley was truly a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She will be remembered for her kind words, her wink of an eye, and sweet smile. A calling hour will take place on Tuesday August 9 from 11am to 12pm at Wright-Beard Funeral Home, Inc., with a service to take place at 12pm. Burial will follow at Cortland Rural Cemetery. Those wishing to make memorial contributions are asked to consider a donation to St. Pauls' Lutheran Church. To offer online condolences, please visit www.wright-beard.com