Obituary of Shirley A. Sawyer

A graveside service for Shirley H. Sawyer,79, of Black River, who died May 25th will be at 11:00 am Sunday September 6th in the Maplewood Cemetery, Mannsville. Shirley A. Sawyer, 79 of the Burnup Road, Black River, died Monday at the Samaritan Medical Center. Her funeral will be 7:00pm Thursday May 28, at the Piddock Funeral Home, Adams, Lt. Samantha Lockard, Watertown Salvation Army, officiating. Calling hours will be 4:30 - 7pm prior to the funeral. Per her wishes, cremation will follow the funeral, with burial being held at 10:00am September 5, 2015 in the Maplewood Cemetery, Mannsville. Mrs. Sawyer was born February 8, 1936 in Adams, daughter of Christopher and Doris Loomis Newton. She graduated from Mannsville High School and worked as a seamstress at the former Olga Knitting Mill, Watertown and later as a waitress and bartender at the former Sugar Bowl Restaurant, Watertown. She also sold Avon for forty years. Her first marriage to Winnie Murray in 1953 ended with his death in 1956. She later married John E. Sawyer of Watertown September 28, 1964 The couple lived in Black River. He died November 3, 2011. Survivors include two sons Perry (Tina) Sawyer and Terry Sawyer both of Black River; one daughter Doris (Ronald) Lewis, Clayton, NC; nine grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren, as well as two sisters Sandra Newton, Adams Center and Sally Newton Mannsville; and several nieces and nephews. Mrs.Sawyer was an avid bowler and enjoyed camping and fishing.