Shirley Gleason MacArthur, 76

SEAFORD - Shirley Gleason MacArthur of Seaford passed away Wednesday, July 4, 2007, surrounded by her loving family. She was 76.

Born in Seaford in 1931, she was the daughter of the late Theodore Gleason and Mabel (Roberts) Gleason Deakyne of Seaford.

Shirley was a devoted mother, grandmother and wife to her loving husband, Mac, for 53 years. A 1949 Seaford High School graduate, she attended Goldey Beacom College, where she took courses for a banking career which lasted 36 years. She worked at First National, Seaford Trust and Wilmington Trust in Seaford for 32 years, where she was the well-known drive-in teller lady. She retired in 1993.

She was devoted to her church, St. John"s United Methodist in Seaford, where she taught Sunday school to young people and senior citizens for decades. She loved to count the collection money on Mondays with a group of volunteers.

She was a member of the Seaford High Alumni Association, a former member of the Red Hat Society and a cancer survivor. She proudly wore a purple wrist band and ribbon pendant every day of her life.

Shirley was a proficient needlepoint artist, and her works are displayed in homes throughout the region. She enjoyed playing games and cards, movies, music, lunch at PK and being with family and friends. She also enjoyed family trips to Minnesota, Virginia and, in later years, Florida. She loved being around her pet dachshund, Peanut.

She is survived by her loving husband, Maurice "Mac" MacArthur; a son, Ronald MacArthur of Lewes and Seaford; a daughter, Mary Jane MacArthur of Melbourne Beach, Fla.; a granddaughter, Bethany MacArthur of Seaford; a sister, Patricia Charlton of Summerville, S.C.; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at St. John"s United Methodist Church, Pine and Poplar streets. Friends may call from 6-8 p.m. Monday at the Cranston Funeral Home, 300 N. Shipley St., Seaford, and at church on Tuesday from 1-2 p.m.

Burial will be in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Seaford, following the service.

The family suggests memorial contributions to American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 163, Salisbury, MD 21801/Western Sussex Relay for Life or to St. John"s United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 299, Seaford, DE 19973.