Shirley Swift Harrison

Shirley Swift Harrison passed away quietly in her sleep on January 24, 2012, at the age of 92. She was married to the late Jim Harrison of Edinboro for 65 years.

Their survivors include sons, Michael Harrison of Reston, Virginia and David Harrison of Edinboro; and granddaughters, Bridget Harrison of Centreville, Virginia and Cory Harrison of North Augusta, South Carolina.

Born on the Swift family farm on Crane Road, daughter of the late Fred and Maude Goodell Swift, Shirley attended the local one-room school through 8th grade and then Edinboro High School, graduating in 1936. She earned a Fine Arts degree at Edinboro University in 1940 and taught art in Clymer, N.Y. for 2 years before marrying Jim, who was working as an engineer for Gulf Research and Development in Pittsburgh, Pa. During World War II, Shirley worked in a local steel mill converted to the production of artillery shells. Throughout their marriage, Shirley and Jim helped his late parents, Sox and Fret Harrison, operate Sunset Camps in Edinboro until its closing in 1962. The family returned to Edinboro in 1957 where Jim served as Dean of Men at Edinboro University for the next 25 years and Shirley taught English at General McLane High School and Parker Middle School. During this time, Shirley earned an MA degree in English Literature at Edinboro University. Shirley and Jim belonged to the Edinboro Presbyterian Church, travelled extensively, and enjoyed their winter home in Key Colony Beach, Fla.

Friends and family are invited to attend a memorial gathering to honor and remember Shirley on Monday, January 30, 2012, at the Edinboro Presbyterian Church. The gathering will be held from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., followed immediately by a church service and internment in Edinboro Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, friends are asked to contribute to the Sox Harrison Scholarship Fund, Edinboro University, Edinboro, PA 16412, or the Hurry Hill Maple Museum, 11380 Fry Road, Edinboro, PA 16412. Glunt Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of arrangements.

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