Obituary of Shirley B. Morse

BRANT LAKE: With peace and purpose, Shirley Baker Morse beautifully and faithfully departed on December 4th, the second Sunday in Advent.  A simple service was conducted in early December.  Interment will be held at Oakwood Cemetery.  A grand finale will be hosted in June.…Dudes, show up.

 

The child of Edward B. and Martha M. Baker, she was the second baby born in the Troy-Albany area in 1928.  Baptized February 26th with godparents, Chester Millhouse, Gladys Watson and a sister of E.B. Baker. Shirley lived in Troy, Albany, Schenectady and Saratoga, spending many a summer horse-assing around with cousins, most often Millhouse’s, raising hell and having fun in and around Schroon and Brant Lake. 

 

She grew, developed and was encouraged thru the level of service provided to her many churches, from Grace Episcopal Church, Haddonfield and St. Mark’s Basking Ridge, New Jersey to Christ Church Pottersville, New York. Practice and faith were gained though her service to the Episcopal church. She held positions on the vestries, alter guild and committees.  She embroidered church linens for several churches in the Adirondack Mountain Missions and was well versed in the appropriate colors necessary according to her Ordo Calendar. Not the simple one, the one with each and every event calling for celebration.   She was an oblate at St John Baptist Convent, Mendham, New jersey and often attended services at St. Marks Mendham for feasts and lesser obligations not celebrated at our family’s church, on Finley Avenue in Basking Ridge. 

 

She professed devotion to the eucharist when becoming a life member of the Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament in June of 1965 and was a practicing member of the Guild of All Souls.

 

Graduated with a Bachelor of Science from the College of Saint Rose in June of ’49, she married Richard D Morse in May of 1954, from which she raised a pair of strong girls, in her likeness. The married couple lived in Phoenix AZ, Richmond VA, Muscle Shoals, AL (her favorite), Cherry Hill NJ and Basking Ridge, NJ (settling in BR because she liked the name). Mom had a short stint in Bernardsville before finally returning to her beautiful Adirondacks for the last 30 years of her life.  Gaga truly loved all grandchildren and great grandchildren equally.  It was from the Adirondacks, she carefully selected and beautifully wrapped items for the best birthday boxes sent each year.

 

Shirley retired from the Lyons Veterans Medical Center in the mid 90’s, having worked as Ward Secretary on psychiatric units and eventually working as a Medical Administrative Assistant. Always offering grace and prayer for the souls of veterans.

 

‘Shirl’ did not make it to her 95th birthday, however, she lived a life not possible for most to do if given 195 years.  Sometimes it was difficult to get her on the phone during the week…she hosted many a bible study with refreshments served later.  This was no surprise for Mom.  Her godfather, Chester Millhouse and wife Marge (Watson) Millhouse were founding members of the Brunswick Hills, ACDC (After Church Drinking Club).

 

As the remaining Matriarch of the Adirondack Millhouse’s, Shirley had family. But first:

 

Shirl’s many friends left behind include her pals at Christ Church Pottersville and the Adirondack Mission, her greatest supporter Margaret, mixologist of the “surprise me” and many neighbors, firemen and those she hired…who pretty much worked for her because she was likable and thoughtful.

 

Family:  Mhm.  She leaves behind, in full support of her faith, daughters, Martha Morse Travostino of Hackettstown NJ and Stephenie Morse Neufeld of Sparta NJ.  She loved her four grandchildren, Jennifer Conover (dubbed Shirley “Gaga” before “Lady Gaga” stole the name), Eric Joseph Travostino-#Handsome#Favorite1, Devon Millhouse Neufeld-#Deviedoodles, and Lauren Morse Neufeld #tiedforFav1#athlete#hilarious1.  Her Great Grandchildren include Alaina Rodgers-#LaneyLu and Ashton Conover-#Athlete#Hilarious2#workingtowardFavstatus. 

 

Are there any Millhouse’s left?  Hell yes. Who do you think makes the best Manhattan’s, Perfectly? Left behind and close to her were cousins, Dr. Bobby Millhouse in California, who was stout in support and left great jokes on her answering machine.  His children Keith, Glenn (seriously her best drinking buddy) and Karen, with many another generation or two of which include but not limited to, Jack and Ella, outside Albany.  Never to forget cousin Betty Anne Korzenny, of North Carolina whom she loved dearly and giggled with loudly.  Her four boys Mark, David, John, Andrew and their own many Griffis children.  There was also the Tear family.  Predeceasing Shirl: Dick, choral leader of college songs and ones not for young ears, and his wife, Shirley’s cousin, Elaine, aka EV.  Remaining family include Greg, Lucinda, Tim, and Tim’s children, Westley and Taylor.

-Spouses have not been named, however she enjoyed them all. She even displayed pictures of exes, as she kinda liked most of them.

 

And God Children…who routinely received their gifts, cards and words of faith.  May they feel what she conferred. 

 

She tolerated, but secretly loved Moulder, Lola, Jax, Salem, Max, Duke, Cooper, Mabel and Moxie.  It was her wish not to mention any cats.

 

Shirley did this life well. Go in peace, Mom.

 

Please visit www.alexanderfh.net for online guest book and condolences.