ALTAMONT — Shirley Murrell Fronk, born Shirley Louise Dingwall on Aug. 15, 1943, died peacefully at her home on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, surrounded by loved ones and under the attentive care of hospice. She was 82 years old.

“A deeply devoted woman of faith, Shirley lived a life marked by service and compassion,” her family wrote in a tribute. “Her home on Warners Lake Road — where she resided since the 1960s — was more than a place of residence. It was a sanctuary of love, service, and mission.

“With her late husband, Laurence ‘Larry’ Fronk, Shirley co-founded Lord’s Acres Christian Fellowship, a nonprofit ministry and religious community that operated out of their home. Together, they opened their doors and hearts to more than 30 foster children, adopting several, and raising a total of 37 children through birth, adoption, and foster care.

“Shirley was a nurturer in the truest sense — of children, community, and spirit. Her ministry touched the lives of those forgotten or hurting, with a food bank, nursing-home visits, and an annual toy drive, always grounded in faith and a belief in redemption and belonging.

“She will be remembered for her humor, and the unshakable belief that every person is worthy of dignity and love. Her home was never empty, her faith never dimmed, and her heart never stopped giving.”

In 2003, she wrote the following regarding her life:

“I was born on Aug. 15, 2025 to Gertrude Myers Dingwall and John Howard Dingwall at Brady Hospital in Albany, New York. I have one brother born five years after me, Thomas Addison Dingwall. We lived in Albany until I was 11 years old then moved to Guilderland Center.

“There I met my first husband, Elwood Murrell, and was married on December 1961. We had two beautiful children, Elwood L. “Skip” Murrell Jr. and Wanda Ann Murrell (now Johnson). We bought a home on Lydius Street and later sold it and bought one on Warner Lake Road. We divorced in 1976.

“I remarried on Oct. 17, 1976 to Laurence Floyd Fronk and, after a few years, we took in foster children — 37 in all through a 13-year span. We adopted five children, but consider all we raised as our children as we feel God blessed us with them.

“We adopted Lewis, Stephen, Matthew, Michael, and David. We also have Randy, Carol, and Ethel — children we love as our own and feel God gave us a blessing by letting us be a part of their lives and families. There is Lauretta and Donna Sumner who we love and pray for daily.

“As of when this is written, 2003, I still live at Warners Lake Road and I am very happy with my life. I love the Lord my God and my husband and family.

“My hope is that I was able to make a difference in people’s lives. My parents have both passed to be with the Lord.”

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Shirley Murrell Fronk is survived by her children, including Skip (Karen) Murrell, Wanda Fronk, Lewis (Chrissy) Fronk, Stephen (Mary) Fronk, Matthew (Renee) Fronk, Michael Fronk, David (Laura) Fronk, Carol Pelkey, and Ethel Mundt; her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; her loyal friends and caregivers including Laura Fasani and Colleen Wolford; and the many others whose lives were touched by her generosity and belief in second chances.

Her beloved husband, Laurence Fronk, died before her, as did her brother, Thomas Dingwall.

She will be laid to rest with her husband on Nov. 6, 2025 at Gerald B.H. Solomon National Cemetery. A memorial service will later be held in accordance with her wishes.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Community Hospice.