DOVER - Shirley A. (Ross) Halfen passed away suddenly on Feb. 22, 2017, at Kent General Hospital, surrounded by her family.
She was born on Feb. 10, 1941, in Dover, daughter of the late J. Homer Ross, Sr. and Sarah P. Ross.
Shirley graduated from John Bassett Moore High School in 1959 and was active with the Smyrna Alumni.
Raised on the family dairy farm on Smyrna Landing Road, Shirley maintained the daily operations of the dairy farm alongside her father. Later she began working at the Medford Davis Farm, training race horses for over 30 years until her retirement.
Shirley enjoyed spending time with her family, especially going on vacations, Sunday dinners and holiday traditions. Her family has many fond memories of Shirley helping decorate their Christmas trees. Most Friday and Saturday evenings were spent with her girlfriends playing cards. She was also an avid Washington Nationals fan.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, John Halfen, Sr.; her step-son, John Halfen, Jr.; her brother-in-law, Ray E. Calloway; and her sister-in-law, Betty Ross.
She is survived by her son, William "Bill" Robinson and his wife, Donna, of Smyrna; two sisters, Barbara Calloway, of Frederica and Frances Gingerich and her husband, Enos, of Smyrna; her brother, James H. Ross, Jr., of Middletown; five grandchildren, Heather, Amber, Brian, Paul and Sydney; five great-grandchildren, Destiny, Cheyenne, Miranda, Benny and Alaina; her special niece and nephew, Dawn Coverdale and Rick Legar; and a host great-nieces and -nephews. She is also survived by the extended Bartsch family.
A viewing will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., on Wednesday, Mar. 1, 2017, at the Faries Funeral Chapel, located at 29 South Main Street in Smyrna. Funeral services will begin at 12 p.m. Burial will follow at Odd Fellows Cemetery in Smyrna.
Condolence letters may be sent by visiting www.fariesfuneralhome.com