Shirley Blanche (Knockerbocker) Klock
Shirley Blanche Klock,
age 95 of Ipswich, former Topsfield resident, passed away peacefully in
her sleep on Tuesday, January 27, 2015.
She was born to the late
Earl and Wilma (Tripp) Knickerbocker on March 10, 1919, in Ancram, New
York. Shirley attended Russell Sage College in Troy, New York, where she
received her Bachelor of Arts Degree. She has been a member of the First
Congregational Church of Topsfield since 1958, where for many years she
worked as the church secretary. She then went on to the
Manchester-by-the-Sea school system where she was secretary for the
Special Education Department, making many lifelong friends with several
teachers. For nine years she worked part-time in the accounting
department at Essex Group Management in Rowley. She loved cooking and
trying new recipes for dinners she would host once a week for her
grandsons and granddaughter. She practiced her baking skills on homemade
goodies for her friends to enjoy at the Essex Group. Shirley enjoyed
knitting, needlepoint, reading, crossword puzzles, and late night radio
talk shows. For many years she knitted hats for the newborns at Beverly
Hospital. Family and friends were her love and joy. Shirley often spoke
of her time with her late husband, Bob, during World War II while
crossing the country by train as he prepared and trained to fly the B29
Bomber over Japan. As a war bride she volunteered many hours at home
until her husband returned. Bob died in 1976. He was actively involved
in the planning and development of recreation facilities for the
residents of Topsfield. The recreation field and park, located on North
Street, is named Klock Park.
Shirley is survived by
her three children, Sharon Gilbert and husband William Gilbert of
Camden, Maine, James Klock and wife Joanne Klock of Colorado, and
Deborah Romano and husband Frank Romano of Rowley. She is also survived
by nine grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren and her cousin Carol
Doxtader of Fairport, NY. The family wishes to thank all those who cared
for Shirley over the past year at Blaire House of Milford. Because of
her excellent care, comfort and new friendships, she was happy and
content.
Visiting hours will be
held 9 to 10:30 am on Saturday, January 31, 2015, in the Whittier-Porter
Funeral Home, 6 High Street, Ipswich followed by her funeral service
11:00am in The First Congregational Church of Topsfield. Family and
friends are respectfully welcomed. In lieu of flowers memorial
contributions in her name may be made to the First Congregational Church
of Topsfield, 9E Street, Topsfield, MA 01983.
