Shirley Ann (Ripley) Reid, of Rochester, Indiana, passed away at Aster Place in Lafayette, Indiana.
Born on August 12, 1939, in Crawfordsville, Indiana, Shirley was the daughter of the late Donald F. Ripley and Helen Jean Reynolds. She graduated from Goodland High School in 1957.
On May 2, 1958, she married David Washburn Reid in Goodland, Indiana. They shared nearly 49 years of marriage before his passing on April 30, 2007.
Shirley worked at Eisner Food Store in Lafayette, Indiana. In 1977, she and her family relocated to Rochester, where she worked for Marshall Electric Corporation until her retirement in 2005.
A devoted volunteer and lifelong learner, Shirley enjoyed reading, traveling, and spending time with family. Her travels took her to Switzerland, Alaska, Ireland, and many destinations throughout the United States. She especially cherished family camping trips.
An exceptional cook and baker, Shirley maintained an extensive cookbook collection and delighted in trying new recipes. She and David also enjoyed gardening, and she took great pride in canning vegetables and making her delicious strawberry freezer jam.
Shirley was actively involved in her community. She was a member of Tri Kappa and the Friends of the Fulton County Public Library, where she served as president. She organized community dinners for First Christian Church at Grace United Methodist Church’s Wednesday night dinners. She also volunteered at the Fulton County Senior Center and participated in both a book club and a game club. Earlier in life, while living in Lafayette, she served as a Girl Scout leader for her daughters’ troop.
She is survived by her daughters, Pamela Handy (Keith) of Lafayette, Indiana; Carla Merrill (Rick) of Apache Junction, Arizona; and Paula Murphy (Rich) of Rochester, Indiana. She is also survived by her grandsons, Benjamin Murphy (Sarah) of Rochester and Justin Murphy (Aline) of Houston, Texas; six great-grandchildren, Ella, Brooklyn, Livian, Jaxton, Alex, and Andy; six step-grandchildren; and ten step-great-grandchildren.
Also surviving are her sisters, Carol Parks, Connie Woodworth, and Donna Ripley; and her brothers, Barry Ripley, Alan Ripley, and Phil Reid.
In addition to her husband and parents, Shirley was preceded in death by her stepfather, Carrol “Curly” Reid, and her stepmother, Martha Ripley.
Shirley will be remembered for her generous spirit, dedication to her family and community, love of travel and learning, and the warmth she shared through her cooking, hospitality, and friendship. Her legacy lives on in the many lives she touched.
A celebration of the life of Shirley Ann Reid will be at 2:00 PM EST on Sunday, July 19, 2026, in the Good Family Funeral Home, 1200 West 18th Street, Rochester. Chaplain Teri White will officiate.
Her family will receive friends from 12:00/noon until the time of the service.
Shirley's place of eternal rest will be at the Goodland Cemetery, Goodland, Indiana next to her beloved husband David. Graveside services are scheduled at 11:00 AM EST on Monday, July 20, 2026.
Memorials in lieu of flowers may be made to The Friends of the Fulton County Public Library. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.
