Shirley Ann Thorn

Shirley Ann Thorn (Schaffer) passed away peacefully on August 7, 2024 at the age of 92. She was born
on January 1, 1932 in Delware County, Pennsylvania, a daughter of the late Joseph and Lucia (Schlopsna)
Schaffer. Shirley was a graduate of Lansdowne High School and earned her Bachelors degree in Music
Education from West Chester State Teachers College, now West Chester University. She was a lifelong
resident of Delaware County, Pennsylvania.

Upon graduation, Shirley started her journey in teaching what she was most passionate about, music!
She was an adored vocal and general music teacher in the Interboro and Upper Darby School districts
for many years. In 1955, Shirley married the love of her life, Joseph Tharp Jr. Together they had 3
children; Rich, Bruce, and Judy. Shirley was a dedicated mother who proudly was a Den Mother of the
cub scouts and Music leader of the Brownies when her children were young and as they got older you
could find her in the stands at Airport Speedway and Bridgeport Speedway with her grandchildren
watching her son, Bruce, race with Rich and Joe right by his side. Joseph and Shirley spent a loving and
adventurous 43 years of marriage together before his unexpected passing in 1998. In 2001, Shirley re-
married her second husband, Joseph Thorn, and remained married until his passing in 2023.

In her free time, she taught piano privately, taught Sunday school and vacation Bible school. Shirley was
also a long time member of Lansdowne Presbyterian Church and St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church. It was
her faith that bought her to join the Church Council, Choir, Circle member and 2nd V.P. of Lansdowne
Junior Women’s Club, played piano for “Live at Five”, and St. Matthew’s scorekeeper for Little League
Teams. Shirley was honored to be a member of the National Association for Music Education (MENC),
National Education Association (NEA), and Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA).

Besides being a doting mother, Shirley was blessed with five grandchildren; Tami, Tristin, Cody, Ashley,
and James, who all couldn’t have asked for a better Mom-Mom. Some of her grandkids best memories
were spent crafting, taking walks to the library/park, swimming in her pool in the backyard, dancing
around and singing to Billy Ray Cyrus, laughing until we cried watching Ralphie in the bunny outfit in
“The Christmas Story”, trips to the Poconos, playing a serious game of Monopoly, and helping make her
delicious lasagna and homemade cole slaw.

In addition to her parents and spouses, Shirley was predeceased by her older sister Lucie Faramelli of
Boston, Massachusetts. Shirley will be greatly missed by her 3 children: Rich (Carol Sue) Tharp of Florida,
Bruce (Suzanne) Tharp of Brookhaven, Pennsylvania, and Judy (James) Tull of North Carolina; 5
Grandchildren: Tami (Bob) Tridente of Brandamore, PA, Tristin Tharp (Matt) of Frederick, MD, Cody
Waltman, Ashley Waltman, and James Tull all of North Carolina; 4 Great- Grandchildren: Ariana, Gia,
Elijah, and Leilani; Brother-in-law: Norman Faramelli of Boston, Massachusetts; and many nieces,
nephews and friends.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the Alzheimer's Association in memory of Shirley Thorn at
Alz.org or call 1-800-272-3900.

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