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Shirley M. Baum
Shirley M. Baum, age 75, of Kittanning, PA, died Wednesday, July 14, 2010, at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA.
She was born August 2, 1934, the daughter of Samuel Arthur and Gertrude (Falls) Mechling.
Shirley was a Kittanning High School graduate, class of 1952. After high school she passionately pursued her nursing education, earning her RN in nursing from the Presbyterian School of Nursing and later her BSRN from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She added to her repertoire a master’s degree in psychology from IUP and her coveted Pediatric Nurse Practitioner designation of which she was so very proud to be the first female in Armstrong County to earn the PNP designation. A true career lady in the 1960’s and 1970’s, Shirley worked fulltime at Children’s Community Pediatrics, taught as a nursing instructor for Allegheny Valley Hospital School of Nursing, and was the school nurse for Armstrong School District while her children were in school. Her children were the pride of her life and she believed in leading by example, with her determination and desire for excellence in all her undertakings.
Being able to list a myriad of achievements, Shirley would have argued her greatest accomplishment was her family. A testament to her continued care, inspiration, and guidance would be her three successful children and their Christian families to carry on her legacy.
Shirley’s talents extended far beyond nursing. She had a passion for flowers and a love of music to which she passed down to her son, John. As a member of Grace Presbyterian Church, she led the bell choir and sang in the choir. She also volunteered countless hours to the Kittanning Public Library. Shirley was a beautiful, independent spirit who created a unique life for herself filled with a love of nursing, family and a personal penchant for striking out on her own path and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
She leaves behind to cherish her memory three children; her two sons, John A. Baum and his wife Judy of Memphis, TN, and David J. Baum and his wife Jackie of Kittanning; her daughter, Amy E. Arnold and her husband Scott of Freeport; seven grandchildren, Elisabeth, Jamie and Catherine Baum, Austin and Cassandra Baum, and Lauren and Dylan Arnold; and a sister-in-law, Cathy Mechling of Delmont.
Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, James F. “Jim” Baum with whom she shared nearly 54 beautiful years of marriage and who died January 15, 2009; and her brother, Lester Mechling.
Relatives and friends may visit from 10-11 AM on Saturday, July 17, 2010, at the Grace Presbyterian Church, 155 N Jefferson Street, Kittanning, where a memorial service will be held at 11 AM with her pastor, Rev. Dana Wilmot officiating.
In honor of Shirley, contributions may be made in her memory to Grace Presbyterian Church, 155 N. Jefferson Street, Kittanning, PA 16201 or the Kittanning Public Library, 280 N. Jefferson Street, Kittanning, PA 16201.
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