Shirley Dean Birdy

Shirley (Dean) Birdy, age 93, of West Mifflin passed away on Sunday, January 1, 2023. 

Born in Homestead, PA; cherished daughter of the late Clarence and Margaret (Wegherst) Dean. Beloved bride of 70 years of Earl J. Birdy; devoted mother of Pam Birdy Klein, Dean A. Birdy, Esq., David (Brooke Miller) Birdy, and Cheryl (Hank) Birdy Rettger; loving “Grams” of Geoff Klein, Aaron (Lauren Girvin) Birdy, Morgan Birdy, Cate Birdy, Caroline Birdy, and Cameron Birdy; doting older sister of Fred (Pat) Dean; also survived by many nieces and nephews. 

Shirley was a graduate of Munhall High School, Class of 1947, where she was a majorette. After graduation she attended Slippery Rock University, where she met Earl, both majoring in physical education.  They were married on June 19, 1952 and recently celebrated 70 years of marriage.  Shirley was a 1951 graduate of Slippery Rock University where she was a drum majorette and  a member of  Phi Delta Pi sorority. Early in her career Shirley taught swimming at St. Edmunds Academy and she also taught synchronized swimming and produced water shows at private pools in the summer. For most of her career, Shirley taught health, physical education and swimming in the Steel Valley School District.  She coached swimming and volleyball at Steel Valley and volunteered as a swimming coach for the Pennsylvania Senior Olympics. She had a passion for sports and dance. Shirley and Earl were not only partners in life but also in dance, especially the jitterbug. A crowd often stopped to watch the duo. 

  Shirley had a deep faith and it shined throughout her life, in her words and deeds. She served as an officer and had been a long-time member of the Interboro College Club that provided educational scholarships and grants in the community.  Shirley had served as a deaconess for Central Christian Church and had more recently been a member of Homeville Christian Church. 

Friends and family will be received on Friday, January 6, 2023 from 3:30 PM – 6:30 PM at the George Irvin Green Funeral Home, Inc., 3511 Main Street, Munhall PA 15120. A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, January 7, 2023 at 11 AM in Homeville Christian Church, 4702 Eliza Street West Mifflin, PA 15122. PLEASE MEET AT THE CHURCH. A private internment will take place in the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memoriam of Shirley Dean Birdy to Homeville Christian Church, 4702 Eliza Street West Mifflin, PA 15122 or to Shirley D. Birdy Memorial Fund, Slippery Rock University Foundation, Inc., 1 Morrow Way, Slippery Rock, PA  16057.  The family will be establishing a scholarship in Shirley’s name.