Shirley E. Wiggins

Shirley Eva Wiggins born December 22, 1928, to Herman and Alvesta Wiggins in Philadelphia. Shirley was the 2nd of 10 children born to their union. Shirley was educated in the Philadelphia Public Schools, graduating from Overbrook High School (Castle on the Hill) in 1945 at the end of World War 2.

Shirley went on to work for the Red Cross for 20 years retiring to take the position of Administrative Assistant at Graduate Hospital. On December 10th, 1979, Shirley and Joseph Gilyard were wed, he preceded her in death. And it was at this time that she moved from their marital home to Ambler, PA. It was while living in Ambler that she became a Foster Grandparent at the head start program in Montgomery County Primary Unit. For those that knew Shirley know that those interactions must have been hilarious. Shirley then relocated to Landsdale, PA. Prior to the death of her older sister Doris, Shirley moved to the Germantown Home. How ironic that “Big Time Shir of Germantown” was back in the area of Philadelphia that she had spent her entire adult life. Shirley will be known for her sense of humor and if you get it you get it and her sense of style.

On Tuesday, February 6th, 2024, the sun set one last time for Shirley. She was preceded in death by her parents and five siblings. She leaves to mourn her passing, three sisters, Constance Miller of Exton, PA, Norita Wiggins of Philadelphia, PA, Phyllis Matthews of Baltimore, MD and one brother Granville Wiggins of Ann Arbor, Michigan.