Obituary of Annadora V. Shirk PhD

Annadora V. Shirk, Ph. D., passed away peacefully in her sleep at her home in Larchmont, NY, on August 29th, having just celebrated her 97th birthday. Dr. Shirk is survived by her two children, Thea S. Beaver of Larchmont, NY, and Al Vesper of Rochester, MN; her five grandchildren, William S. Beaver, Jr., of Philadelphia, PA, Alyssa Beaver Gomez of Larchmont, NY, Brittany N. Beaver of Larchmont, NY, Lynn Anne Vesper of Ely, MN, and Jennifer Snyder of Mankato, MN; and five great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband of 45 years, Eugene Leid Shirk. Dr. Shirk was born in Altoona, PA, on August 9, 1918, to Harry Mershon Spengler and Jessie Burchfield Spengler. She graduated first in her class from Johnstown High School and first in her class from Thiel College. In 1942, she married U.S. Army Air Force pilot Albert Vesper, with whom she had her son. Albert Vesper died during World War II while serving with the U.S. Army Air Force. Dr. Shirk received an M.A. in English from the University of Pittsburgh, and pursued graduate work at the University of Wisconsin. She joined the faculty of Albright College in Reading, PA, in 1946 and taught there for 51 years. The Annadora Shirk Readers Theatre Prize was established to honor her upon her retirement. She earned her Ph. D. in Rhetoric and Communication from Temple University in 1977. Dr. Shirk was an active civic leader throughout her life. She was elected to the Reading School Board and served from 1949-1955. She was president of the Reading branch of the American Association of University Women. Dr. Shirk received many awards during her career, including the Beacon Award from the Berks Women's Network and the Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching. In 1981, she was named a Distinguished Alumna of Thiel College. In 1997, Dr. Shirk moved to Larchmont to be closer to her daughter and her daughter's family. Dr. Shirk joined the Larchmont Avenue Church and served as an Elder on the Board of Session. She was an active member of the Larchmont Women's Club and PEO, an organization devoted to providing scholarship opportunities to young women. Dr. Shirk was an accomplished cellist who played with the Johnstown and Harrisburg Symphonies. Also a well-respected public speaker, Dr. Shirk addressed various community and civic organizations. The family will be receiving visitors at Fox Funeral Home in Larchmont on Thursday, September 3rd from 4pm to 7pm. A memorial service will be held at Larchmont Avenue Church on Friday, September 4th at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Annadora V. Shirk Fund at Albright College, 13th and Bern, Reading, PA 19604.