Shirley Vorspan passed away on August 27, 2018 after courageously battling Alzheimer’s disease over the past few years. Her memory will be cherished by her husband, Al, after 72 years of a uniquely loving and tender marriage. She will be dearly missed by her children and their partners, Chuck and Emily, Robby and Brian, Kenny and Reva, and Debby. Her eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren will carry her in their hearts forever — Emily, Ben, Zach, Sam, Jonah, Noah, Emmett, and Becca; and Jack and Audrey. Shirley will be forever loved, as well, by her large and loving extended family, many of whom have relocated to New Paltz in the past 10 years.
In addition to her roles as loving wife, mother, and grandmother, Shirley was an accomplished artist. In the mid-70’s, the family bought a beautiful, yet neglected old house in Hillsdale, NY, which Shirley and Al transformed into a hub for the extended family that gathered there regularly as the grandchildren grew up. Shirley’s deep and delightful aesthetic sense is evident in virtually every corner of the house and property.
She began her artistic career as a painter and sculptor and worked in the Reproductions Department at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the first of its kind at a major museum in the US.
Later, she transitioned to pottery, working for many years at the renowned Greenwich House Studio in New York City’s Greenwich Village. In the 1970’s, Shirley developed a small business based on research, design, and production of her original adaptations of ancient board games from around the world.
For the past five years, Shirley and Al have lived at Woodland Pond, where they have made many strong and lasting friendships that have enriched their lives and the lives of those around them. A retrospective of Shirley’s artwork, spanning close to 50 years, was presented at Woodland Pond this past February.
Shirley’s great love, and her appreciation and attention to beauty and family, will be with us forever.
Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, August 30, 2018 at 1 pm at Copeland Funeral Home, 162 South Putt Corners Road, New Paltz, NY, followed by burial at New Paltz Rural Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America in Shirley’s memory. Copeland Funeral Home is honored to assist the family with the arrangements. Online condolences may be left for the family of Shirley by visiting www.copelandfhnp.com
Join the family! 
