Shirley Marie Graver, 90

January 24, 2026

Shirley Marie Graver, 90, of Kirkwood, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, passed away on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at the Quarryville Presbyterian Retirement Community.

Born in Lancaster, she was the daughter of the late Lester M and Blanche Pickel Prange. She was the loving wife of Allen E Graver for 65 years.

Shirley was a 1953 graduate of Solanco High School and a 1957 graduate of Elizabethtown College; she continued her post-graduate classes at Millersville University. Shirley worked as a fourth-grade teacher for Solanco School District and retired after thirty years as a Reading Specialist from Oxford Area School District. After retirement, she appreciated visiting her family and many friends. She also enjoyed riding along with her husband in his semi-truck as he made deliveries.

Shirley was a lifelong member of Middle Octorara Presbyterian Church, where she served as a church Elder, Deacon, and Sunday school teacher. Shirley’s legacy is one of faith and kindness, a reflection of the love she found in her church community throughout her life.

She had over fifty years of faithful service to the Grand Chapter of Pennsylvania Order of the Eastern Star.

Shirley served on the Board of Directors of Lester M. Prange, Inc., a local and long-distance transportation carrier started by her father in 1935, for thirty-eight years.

Shirley was an avid reader and a life-long learner- she is particularly remembered well for her interest in meeting and learning about other people. She had love for travel, whether to Martha’s Vineyard every year with close friends from the “Fairview Gang” or meticulously planned tours throughout the United States, Canada, Iceland, Europe and Central America. She loved music and orchestral concerts, having played the piano from a young age. And whether she was swimming at the YMCA or in the ocean, Shirley loved all things aquatic.

In addition to her husband, Shirley is survived by her daughter Beth Ann (Wayne) Messick, grandchildren William Messick and Courtney (Tim) Jayne, and son-in-law Jeffrey A Roland. Shirley was preceded in death by her daughter Lynn (Kathy) Roland.

Her family would like to thank the many family members, friends, and caregivers who helped us in Shirley’s care following a life-changing stroke in 2009.

Interment will be private in the Middle Octorara Presbyterian Church cemetery. A service celebrating Shirley’s life will be held on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at 2 PM at Middle Octorara Presbyterian Church. Kindly omit flowers. Memorial contributions may be made to Middle Octorara Presbyterian Church, PO Box 68, Bart, PA 17503.