Shirley M. Ibach

Shirley was born March 29, 1985, in Dunkirk, N.Y., the daughter of Shane L. and Janice M. (Priday) West.

On Sept. 19, 2008, she married Joshua M. Ibach in Mayville, N.Y., on the Chautauqua Belle, who survives.

She was a graduate of Brocton Central School in Brocton, N.Y. and graduated from Dartmouth College in Hanover. N.H. with a bachelor’s degree in English. She later earned her master’s degree in English from SUNY Fredonia.

Shirley wrote as a reporter for the Dunkirk Observer and for Chautauqua Today. She was also employed in the Headstart Program in Chautauqua County, N.Y. After moving to Texas with her family, Shirley was employed as an associate professor in the English Department of West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas.

She was a member of the Portland Congregational Church in Portland, N.Y. She loved to read and to write stories, scripts and poetry. She also enjoyed video games. Shirley had a deep love and passion for her family, her pets and in raising her son, Xander.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband Joshua M. and their son, Xander S. Ibach, at home; her parents, Shane L. and Janice M. (Priday) of Portland, N.Y.; a brother, Adam L. West also of Portland, N.Y.; her paternal grandmother, Roberta West of Millport, Pa.; her maternal grandmother, Corrinne Priday of Wellsville, N.Y.; six aunts: Brenda West, Victoria West, Kathy Osgood, Karen Hoffmann, Nancy Priday and Mary Beland; an uncle, Arnold West; her mother-in-law, Linda Riley of Dunkirk, N.Y.; and her father-in-law, Daniel Ibach also of Dunkirk, N.Y.

Shirley was preceded in death by her paternal grandfather, Loyd West; and her maternal grandfather, Richard Priday.

Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial service for Shirley on Wednesday, June 16, 2021, at 6 p.m., at the Portland Congregational Church, 8649 Church St, Portland, N.Y., with the Rev. R. Gordon Spiller officiating. Burial will be in the Pauline M. West Cemetery, Millport, Pa.

In lieu of flowers, a GoFundMe page will be created to help offset hospital costs.

Local arrangements are being cared for and provided by the MORSE FUNERAL HOME, 51 Highland Ave., Brocton, NY 14716

To express condolences or share a fond memory of Shirley, please visit www. themorsefuneralhome.com