Shirley L. Driscoll

Shirley L. Bathgate Driscoll, 93 of Bath, NY, formerly of Orange, CT. Our beloved mother passed away on Saturday, March 26 at the Steuben Center, Bath, NY. She was born on October 22, 1928 in West Haven, CT, to Jack and Helen Bathgate the youngest of five children, the last of the family's greatest generation. Mom touched the hearts and lives of so many and was loved by all those who knew her. She was predeceased by John E. Cowles of Bath, NY, her Daughter Debra L. Cowles Robertson of Bath, NY, her grandson Paul Robertson of Fairfield, CA and son-inlaw Charles Berg of Bath, NY. She is survived by her two sons William B. Cowles of East Haven, CT. Ronald H. Cowles of Merrimac

MA, and her daughter

Holly Berg of Bath, NY. Cherished grandmother to eight grandsons and five granddaughters. Great grandmother to two greatgranddaughters and one great-grandson. Mom's love for horses started when she was a teenager. She rode in CT's rodeos with her horse Spider winning multiple blue ribbons. She became Connecticut's championship barrel racing cowgirl. After getting married and having children Mom donated Spider to the Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport, CT, where he became part of the roving security patrol of the park. Mom and Jack enjoyed dancing weekends at the country western club in Shelton, CT. They became close friends with the band members and went on camping trips together. They would play music and sing

around the campfire at night attracting folks from around the camp ground. She worked for the Winkle Bus Co. for many years picking up special needs children. Raising five children wasn't enough for Mom and Jack so they took in two special needs children and raised them as their own. She was the neighborhood Mom, if you were at the house at dinner time she would set a place for you to. After retiring they moved to Vermont where they built a horse stable and trained young adults how to ride. After Jacks passing Mom moved to Bath, NY to be closer to her two daughters. Debra took in mom to be her caregiver and after her passing; Holly did the same for Mom. She was exactly where she wanted to be, around her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a great influence on her granddaughters and great-granddaughters sharing her love for horse riding with them. Mom was a true equestrian to the end.

Funeral service to be held at the Christ Episcopal Church, 526 Amity Rd., in Bethany Saturday, April 23 2022, at 11:00 a.m. Burial services will follow on site at the church cemetery. Condolences can be sent to William B. Cowles, 216 Cosey Beach Avenue, East Haven, CT 06512.