Shirley Mae Rifenburg, 86, of Hurley

AUG. 16, 1931 - MARCH 28, 2018

HURLEY » Shirley Mae Rifenburg, 86, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family, March 28, 2018.

Shirley was born Aug. 16, 1931, to the late Joseph and Mildred Hughes, and grew up in Kingston, N.Y., on Hurley Avenue. She graduated from Kingston High School in 1949. She graduated from Farmingdale Agricultural and Technical School in 1951 as a dental hygienist. She worked as a hygienist for the rural school system in Kingston until she left to raise her family.

She was a devoted wife and mother. Over the years, she was active in the community as a Girl Scout leader, longtime member of the YWCA, taught Sunday school at Old Dutch Church, was a member of Leftfooters square dancing, and organist for the “Blue Velvet” band. She was a longtime member of the sorority Beta Sigma Phi, a longtime member of the Hurley Heritage Society, serving as a board member and past president. She loved music, ballroom dancing, Middle Eastern dancing, and teaching classes. She was a longtime member of the 3rd Ulster Militia, an early American re-enactment group. Learning and practicing colonial crafts such as fireplace hearth cooking, basket weaving, spinning, and weaving was one of her passions.

She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Ronald Rifenburg of Hurley, N.Y.; her children, Marie Webster and husband John Webster of Saugerties, Richard Rifenburg of Kingston, and Cindy Rifenburg and husband Marcus Weber of Danielsville, Pa.; nine grandchildren, Michelle Rios, Keith Menges, Riorden and Steton Weber, Nicole Walker, Brandon, Mackenzie, Connor and Adrienne Rifenburg; and three great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Sylvia Van Etten of Hurley, and several nieces and nephews.

Family and friends may visit at A. Carr & Son Funeral Home, 65 Lucas Ave, Kingston, on Wednesday, April 4, 2018, from 4 to 7 p.m., and on Thursday, April 5, 2018, from 1 to 2 p.m., with the funeral at 2 p.m. Burial will follow at Chestnut Hill Cemetery in Saugerties, N.Y.

For those who wish, in lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in her memory to Old Dutch Church, 272 Wall St., Kingston, N.Y. 12401, or Hurley Heritage Society, P.O. Box 1661, 52 Main St., Hurley, N.Y. 12443.

A tribute for Shirley may be found at www.Carrfuneralhome.com, where you may leave memories and expressions of sympathy for her family.