Shirley E. Sackett

Shirley Sackett was born April 2, 1932, at Coudersport, Pennsylvania Hospital to Rev. Robert Smith and Mildred Langdon Smith.

At age 5, she went to a 2-room country school. Her grandmother had taught Shirley to read and do basic math, allowing her to be put into Second Grade at Christmas time. So, she started Third Grade at age 6, which put her 2 years ahead the rest of her school years. Shirley then attended Coudersport High School for 2 years, and graduated from Albion High School in 1948.

After working for a year in Girard, Pennsylvania Tool and Die Co., she attended Houghton, New York University, then transferred to Clarion State University, and graduated in 1953, with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. Shirley did graduate studies at Penn State University, University of New York at Buffalo, and Akron University.

In 1954 she married the love of her life, Rev. Gene H. Sackett, whom she met at Church Camp at the age of 14. Together, they served 6 different parishes – Findley Lake in New York, Evangelical United Brethren Church in Warren, Pennsylvania, Bethel EUB Church, Harris Hill EUB Church in Williamsville, New York, Wedgewood United Methodist Church in Akron, Ohio. (The EUB’s merged with the Methodist Church and became United Methodists), Doylestown, Ohio, United Methodist Church and St. Paul Church in Galion, Ohio. Their longest time was 17 years spent at Wedgewood Church in Akron.

Shirley loved being a pastor’s wife, as well as a teacher. She taught all the elementary grades from Kindergarten through Sixth Grade, wherever she was needed. Shirley taught Kindergarten at Jefferson St. School in Warren, Pennsylvania. She stayed home for 13 years, then taught at Como Park School in Lancaster, New York. They moved to Akron, Ohio where Shirley taught 19 years at Firestone Park School.

She loved being connected on Facebook with family and so many former students and friends she had met through the years.

Shirley belonged to several groups but Mission was her special interest. She held offices in District and local United Methodist groups, and with her husband, peeled potatoes, made pies and meatloaf for the Haven of Rest Mission in Akron. Shirley’s memberships included Akron Story League, Lambda Conclave of Kappa Kappa Iota Sorority and Summit Counties of Retired Teachers and AARP.

She served on several committees in retirement, Tallmadge United Methodist and Union Ave. United Methodist Church in Alliance, Ohio.

Shirley’s hobbies included reading, playing the piano, crossword puzzles and creative writing.

When her husband became ill in April, 2003 they moved to Copeland Oaks Retirement Community, where he died on October 6, 2003. Shirley was happy for his good care and all the love expressed to her then, and later.

At Copeland, she served on the in-house TV program, “Connections”, where they discussed matters of faith monthly and took turns giving 5-minute daily TV devotions. Shirley served on the Chaplain’s Committee, at both the Copeland and Crandall Vesper committees, sang in the Chorale, played in the chime choir, volunteered in the library, Acorn Gift Shop and Thrift Shop.

Shirley’s legacy was her wonderful family – daughters, Bonnie (David) Grimaldi, Carol (David Dehority) McMullen; grandsons, Christopher Grimaldi, Jason (Noa) Grimaldi, Gregory (Megan) McMullen, Daniel (Jenna) McMullen; great grandchildren, David Grimaldi, Charlotte McMullen, J.D. McMullen; sister, Marilyn (Chuck) Brown; niece, Linda (Todd) Zimmerman; nephew, Terry Brown; great nieces, Lindsay (Ryan) Allen, Ashley (Tyler) Sorenson, Chelsea Vogus; and many other dear and extended family members.

Shirley had a good life and missed her Gene; she thanked God for His guidance and provision for her life on earth, and for eternity. To God be the glory! 1 Corinthians 13 “and now abideth faith, hope, and love and the greatest of these is love.”

Celebration of Life at Copeland Oaks Chapel, 800 S. 15th St., Sebring, Ohio 44672 at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 25th, 2026 with Reverend Becky Weamer officiating. Lunch will immediately follow in the adjacent room.

Burial will follow the luncheon at 3:00 p.m. at Tallmadge Cemetery, 35 Southwest Ave., Tallmadge, Ohio with Reverend Bonnie Grimaldi officiating.