Shirley A. Jenkins, age 80, of Eatontown, peacefully passed away Nov. 30, 2023.
Born in Long Branch in 1943 to Leslie P. and Kathleen Stout, she was a graduate of Red Bank High School Class of 1962. She married Robert Jenkins at St. James Church, Red Bank, in 1964.
Shirley was a homemaker most of her life, however, she also worked at the Hosiery Mill in Shrewsbury and the Rowan Controller Company in Red Bank repairing circuit breakers. She also worked as a housekeeper for two doctors in Holmdel and Matawan.
She was a parishioner of St. Dorothea’s Church, Eatontown, for over 50 years.
Shirley was known for her sparkly clothes and tiara hairbands; she loved to be teased about looking like Queen Elizabeth. She enjoyed long lunches and shopping with friends.
Some of the challenges Shirley faced in life were breast cancer, 10 years on dialysis and 10 years as a caregiver for her husband bedridden at home with MS.
No matter what, she always found a reason to be positive and laugh because she remained strong in her faith and love of Jesus Christ.
She was predeceased by her parents, husband, stepmother Georgia Stout, brothers Peter and Edward Stout, sister Linda Kemble and nephew John Choma Jr. She is survived by daughter Sharon Jenkins, sister Lorraine Choma (Ron), sister-in-law Judith Stout, nieces Donna Vandesande, Patty Martinsen (John), Jeanine LaBoy (Rob), and nephews Raymond Choma (Courtney), Jay, John and Matthew Galloway.
2 Timothy 4:7: I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Visitation and a prayer service were held Dec. 5 at Thompson Memorial Home, Red Bank. Burial followed at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Middletown.
This article originally appeared in the December 14 – 20, 2023 print edition of The Two River Times.
