NORTON HILL — Shirley B. Ingalls, who married her childhood sweetheart and loved singing in her church’s choir, died unexpectedly on Saturday, July 12, 2008, with her loving husband by her side. She was 77.

Born March 13, 1931 in Oak Hill, Mrs. Ingalls was the daughter of the late Alfred and Elizabeth (Griffin) Burnett. In 1948, she graduated from Greenville Central School and later received a degree from Mildred Elley Business School.

For 30 years, Mrs. Ingalls worked for the United States Postal Service, and, during her last four years she was the postmaster of the Norton Hill Post Office before retiring in 1992. She also worked for many years as a secretary for GNH Lumber.

Mrs. Ingalls was very active in the Greenville-Norton Hill United Methodist Church. She loved singing and sang in the church choir for over 50 years.

Mrs. Ingalls was also a secretary/treasurer for many years for the Greenville Fire District and served on the Greenville Library Board.

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Mrs. Shirley B. Ingalls is survived her childhood sweetheart and beloved husband of 58 years, Walter H. Ingalls; their children, Kaaren Haushalter, and her husband, Kurt; Kevin Ingalls, and his wife, Karen; Krista Haushalter, and her husband, Carl; and Kay Sutton, and her husband, Eric.

She was a devoted grandmother to Sommer; Jason, and his wife, Lisa; Jacob; Laura, and her husband, Tim; Rebecca; Aubrey; and Walter; and great-grandmother to Jacob Richard. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews and several dear cousins, including Betty Gustavson and Sis Rasmussen.

A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held Saturday, July 26, at 2 p.m. in the Greenville-Norton Hill United Methodist Church in Norton Hill. The Cunningham Funeral Home in Greenville made the arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Greenville Rescue Squad or the Greenville-Norton Hill United Methodist Church.

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Edward J. Livingston

VOORHEESVILLE – The village has lost a caring neighbor and a talented artist. Edward J. Livingston, a painter and a ceramist, died on friday, July 11, 2008, at the Community Hospice of Albany Inn at St. Peter’s Hospital. He was 61.. His depictions of rural scenes such as covered bridges, barns, and farm scenes are widely collected in the area.

“Those were his passions, and it’s funny, because everyone at the viewing was saying, ‘I’ve got this thing that he painted on for me,’ or, ‘Oh yeah, I’ve got these ornaments that he painted,’” said his sister, Donna Gartelman. “Everyone seems to have a piece of him.”

Mrs. Gartelman, who lives in New Hampshire, said that her brother enjoyed visiting her there.

“He loved to come to New Hampshire to visit,” she said. “We’d go out and do craft shows and stuff, he and I together.”

A skilled ceramist, Mr. Livingston would throw plates and lamps, and freehand the designs on them.

A longtime resident of Voorheesville, Mr. Livingston attended school there and in Berne before joining the United States Air Force, serving from 1966 to 1969. After his time in service, he was employed by the University at Albany, and, later, the New York State Office of General Services, from which he retired in 1996.

A member of the Voorheesville First United Methodist Church, he applied his artistry to many church projects, according to his father, John Livingston. Livingston said that his son was a helpful and caring neighbor, always happy to lend a hand to someone in need.

“He helped a lot of people, you know; he used to do a lot of work for people, if they needed anything,” said the senior Livingston. “He came and went all the time here. He kind of stayed by himself, but he was here every day, too,” he said of the frequent visits his son would pay him and his wife, Sue Livingston, who live in New Salem.

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Edward Livingston is survived by his father and mother, as well as his twin sister, Judy Euler and her husband, Bob, and his sister, Donna, and her husband, Larry Gartelman. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews, Christopher, Jacqueline, and Steven Euler, and his wife Jenny; and of Scot, Erika, and Adam Gartelman; his great-nieces, Olivia and Emma Sue Euler, and Abagail Gartelman, and he is survived by several aunts and uncles and many friends.

A memorial service will be held Tuesday morning at 10 a.m. at the Reilly & Son Funeral Home in Voorheesville. Calling hours will be Monday from 4 to 8 p.m. in the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to the Voorheesville First United Methodist Church or the Voorheesville Area Ambulance.

Barbara Brown-Shaffer

ALTAMONT — Barbara Brown-Shaffer, who strung beads with nimble fingers and kept her warm heart open, died on Sunday, July 13, 2008, at St. Peter’s Hospice Inn in Albany. She was 63.

Born to William and Alice (Vincent) Brown in Albany, Mrs. Brown-Shaffer grew up and settled in the foothills of the Helderbergs. As a young woman, she ran her family’s business, Brown’s Waterbeds.

Her family remembers her fondly. “We will never forget your carefree spirit and your compassionate personality,” wrote her niece, Mary Ellen Brown.

Mrs. Brown-Shaffer’s compassion extended beyond her family to her pets, said her brother, Alan Brown. A black Labrador named Willy was her constant companion for years and later, a little Pikapoo named Fred, was like her child, her family said. Her brother said of her penchant for animals, she “always had them.”

After the family business closed, Mrs. Brown-Shaffer worked in the state’s office of taxation and finance, but what she loved to do was take her handmade jewelry to local flea markets where she’d sell her creations.

Mrs. Brown-Shaffer was also an avid reader and enjoyed puzzle books, wrote her family in a tribute.

“I will truly miss all the stories you told us,” wrote Mary Ellen Brown, “and the laughter you brought us.”

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Mrs. Brown-Shaffer is survived by her husband, David Shaffer, her stepson, Jason Shaffer, her brothers: Paul W. Brown and his wife, Joan; and Alan R. Brown and his wife, Kelly. She is also survived by her nieces and nephews: Franklin A. Brown; Francis Zaborowski; Martina J. Brown; Mary Ellen Brown; and Christopher A. Brown. Her nephew, Paul W. Brown Jr., died before her.

A funeral was held yesterday, Wednesday, at the New Comer-Cannon Funeral Home, 343 New Karner Rd., Colonie. Interment will be private and at the convenience of the family. You may leave a message for Mrs. Brown-Shaffer’s family at www.NewcomerFamily.com.