Shirley A. Lemon, 80, passed away in the loving presence of family on Tuesday, December 10, 2013 after a brief illness at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. She is now in the presence of God.

She is survived by her soul mate and husband of 58 years, Reuel Dean Lemon. She is also survived by three children, Kimberly Anne and her husband, John MacIver of Lancaster, Dean Bruce Lemon of Lancaster and Marcus James Lemon of Washington D.C. and a sister, Nancy Stotz of Lancaster. She had four grandchildren, Meg and Morgan MacIver and Drew and Taylor Lemon.

Shirley was proceeded in death by an infant son, Paul, two sisters: Dawne Ferich and Joanne Broome and a brother, Elwood Pickell, Jr.

She was born in East Petersburg, Lancaster County to the late Mary Myles Pickell and Elwood Pickell, Sr. She graduated from Columbia High School and Millersville State College in 1955 where she earned a degree in education. She earned advanced certification in special education from Elizabethtown College. Shirley was a long-time educator in the Warwick and Manheim Township School Districts, and had taught second grade at Kissel Hill Elementary School in Lititz.

After retirement from teaching she served as Christian Education Director at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Lancaster. She also served as a deacon and started the St. Peter's Pre-school. Shirley was also the founder of the Heartwood Program in Manheim Twp. to reach at-risk youth and teach values such as respect, trust and responsibility. Last month, she was honored by the Manheim Township Police Department for her 20-years of volunteer work on the Youth Aid Panel. She was also honored by the Fulton with the Women Who Care Award for volunteerism.

Shirley loved the family Christmas tree farm in Herndon, Pennsylvania and spent many happy hours with her husband playing Canasta and enjoying the farm's splendid view. She loved being with her grandchildren and nurtured them. Shirley never took a music lesson, but could play the piano by ear. She partnered with her husband Dean in the family business, Dean's Trees for 54 years. Shirley was a gentle person who thought only the kindest thoughts of everyone she met. She once wrote: "You are the wellspring on your own happiness. Happiness resides within you. Keep dreaming and you will never be lost."

Friends will be received by her family on Monday, December 16, 2013 from 5-7PM at the Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory, 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA. Friends may call again on Tuesday, December 17, 2013 at St. Peters Evangelical Lutheran Church, 10 Delp Rd., Lancaster, PA 17601 from 930- 11AM, with the Funeral Service to follow at 11AM. Private interment in St. Peters Lutheran Cemetery. The family requests that flowers not be sent, instead making a donation in Shirley's name to the St. Peter's Lutheran PreSchool, 10 Delp Road, Lancaster, PA 17601, or St. Peters Evangelical Lutheran Church at the same address.