Obituary of Shirley J. Casey

Shirley (Atkins) Casey, a wife, mother, grandmother and nurse who over five decades ran a small-town medical practice with her husband in the heart of Voorheesville, died May 24, 2022. She was 92.

Born Jan. 1, 1930 in Westerlo, N.Y., she was the daughter of William “Ken” and Flay (Vincent) Atkins.

A graduate of Berne-Knox-Westerlo schools, she earned her R.N. degree from the Albany School of Nursing.

She worked as a nurse at Albany Medical Center Hospital, the Veteran’s Administration Hospital and the Bangor (Maine) Medical Center Hospital. Her unflappable manner made her a natural in hospital emergency rooms. It also served her well as the mother of two adventurous sons.

She married Dr. Clifford H. Casey on June 27, 1953. They met on a blind date. He died in 2016.

Shirley and Clif were constant companions who enjoyed car rides and dining out. They ate meals at local diners nearly every day.

From 1959 until the couple retired in 2005, she arranged appointments, kept the books and assisted in their home-office at 6 Voorheesville Ave. When they retired, friends had a party to celebrate their connection to Voorheesville and the virtues of their disappearing profession: small-town family medicine.

Shirley enjoyed living in the center of Voorheesville, where the family had frequent visits from friends. Their home, across from Hotaling Park, was a popular gathering place for watching Voorheesville’s annual Memorial Day Parade.

An avid reader on a range of topics, she was a constant source of useful information long before the internet. She kept a rotating pile of library books and happily supported the library with overdue fines.

A child of the Great Depression, she kept a well-stocked pantry that was a favorite destination for snacking kids and grandkids. She never seemed to run out of leftovers.

She enjoyed vacationing at their camp in Surry, Maine, particularly during summers when friends and relatives visited.

She also enjoyed traveling. Her destinations included Europe, the Caribbean and Africa. In one memorable 2002 visit to Hawaii, she and her husband celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with their sons and their families.

Survivors include two sons, Arthur (Susan) of North Canton, Conn.; and Charles (Barbara) of Alplaus; six grandchildren, Matthew, Brian, Jillian, Megan, Sarah and Andrew; and a brother, Robert of Phoenix, Ariz. She was predeceased by her parents and her sister, Irene.

The family thanks the staff of Kingsway Arms Nursing Center for their compassionate care.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Voorheesville Community and School Foundation or the Blue Hill Heritage Trust.

Calling hours are Saturday, June 25, 2022 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Reilly and Son Funeral Home, 9 Voorheesville Ave., Voorheesville, N.Y. 12186. A Memorial Service and reception will be at noon at the First United Methodist Church of Voorheesville, 68 Maple Ave., Voorheesville, N.Y. 12186