Fort Edward
Barbara Delia (Turpin) Shivka, 88, passed away peacefully on Friday, October, 27 2017 at the Glens Falls Hospital surrounded by her loving family.
Born on May 28, 1929 in Little Falls, NY, she was the daughter of the late Edward and Emma (Miles) Turpin, and graduated from St. Johnsville High School in 1947.
She worked as a commercial artist in Canajoharie, NY at Arkell & Smith, where she met her future husband, Michael Shivka. They were married on May 23, 1953 in Canaan, CT. They were married for 50 years, until his passing in 2003.
Barb was a gifted woman of many passions. She was an accomplished artist, and enjoyed creating for the entirety of her life. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Hudson Falls since 1962. She loved her church family and actively volunteered many hours of her time there. She was also a member of the Hudson Falls Business and Professional Women Organization, and was honored in 1996 with the prestigious “Woman of the Year Award” for her advocacy in women’s equality in the workplace. Barb belonged to the Hudson Falls Garden Club, Glens Falls Hospital Guild, and Water Color Society. She was especially dedicated to the Old Fort House Museum, volunteering countless hours in the research center, as a tour guide, and anything else to benefit the museum she so adored. Barb spent many years as a den mother for the Cub Scouts. She often came into contact with former scouts in her later years who remembered her for making scouting a fun experience, while making a positive impact in their lives. She made lifelong friendships wherever she worked, lived, or gave her time. Most of all, Barb loved her family as they loved her and the time they spent together. She will be greatly missed.
Left to cherish her memory include her children; Stuart Shivka, Thomas Shivka and his wife, Kitty, Mark Shivka and his wife, Carrie, and Margaret Bartow and her husband, Jeremy; her grandchildren Tammy (Rose) Collins, Sharla Winjum and her husband, Jerry, Amber Tanner and her husband, Miles, Diane Benson and her husband Mike, Sarah Rigg and her husband, Jon, Nicholas Shivka and his fiancé, Grace, Allison Shivka, Derek and Carsen Bartow; her sister Deborah Mosher; her nieces and nephews, Charlene, Glenna, Nan. And Gene; as well as several great-grandchildren, beloved neighbors Dan Cantiello and Mary and Tony Cantiello, and many special friends.
Friends may call from 4-7pm on Friday, November 3, 2017 at the M.B. Kilmer Funeral Home, 82 Broadway, Fort Edward, NY 12828. To view Barbara’s Book of Memories and post online condolences, please visit www.kilmerfuneralhome.com.
Funeral Services will be conducted at 10am on Saturday, November 4, 2017 at the First Presbyterian Church of Hudson Falls, 5 River St., Hudson Falls, NY 12839.
Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family.
The family would like to give a special thank you to the staff at the Glens Falls Hospital, especially to the ICU staff for their care and compassion.
Memorial donations in Barbara’s memory can be made to the Old Fort House Museum, P.O. Box 106, Fort Edward, NY 12828 or the First Presbyterian Church of Hudson Falls, 9 River St., Hudson Falls, NY 12839.
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