Shirley Anne Rouse

With heavy hearts and profound respect, we celebrate the life and legacy of Shirley Anne Rouse, who peacefully departed this world on March 20, 2026, at Citrus Hospice in Lecanto, Florida. Born on September 9, 1932, in Pawling, New York, Shirley lived a remarkable life filled with love, kindness, and a steadfast commitment to her family and community. Shirley was the cherished daughter of the late Charles Royal Utter and Alfaretta Utter (Knapp). Guided by her parents' values, Shirley cultivated a life rich in love and family service. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Alan D. Rouse, whom she married on February 14, 1953. Together they shared 35 wonderful years before Alan's passing on October 12, 1988. Their love was a testament to enduring partnership and devotion, a legacy now cherished by their surviving children. She leaves behind a loving family, including her daughter Alana A. Rouse and partner Lesa Endress of Brooksville, FL; her son Craig C. Rouse of Pawling, NY; and her daughter Stacy E. Rouse (Labadia) and husband Mark of Ocala, FL. Shirley's family was the center of her world, and she took immense pride in their accomplishments and happiness. A proud graduate of Pawling High School and Krissler Business School in Poughkeepsie, NY, Shirley pursued a career in the administrative legal field, working diligently at law offices in Poughkeepsie, NY, and later in Mount Holly, NJ, while Alan was stationed in the Army at Fort Dix. As time went by, she enjoyed just "Being Mom". Shirley's life was adorned with acts of service and passion. She was a devoted Sunday School Teacher at the Pawling Central Baptist Church and a Girl Scout leader in the Pawling community. These roles allowed her to touch many lives with her warmth and wisdom, instilling values of kindness and integrity. In her leisure time, Shirley was an avid water skier, snow skier, and cross-country skier, embracing the thrill of the outdoors. Summers spent at Candlewood Lake and the New Jersey Shore were filled with joy and cherished memories alongside family and friends. Her passion for gardening brought her immense peace, especially at the family homestead on Harmony Road, where she found solace of wonderful memories of growing up on her parents farm. The family has chosen to honor Shirley's life with a private funeral ceremony. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to local hospices or animal shelters, reflecting her compassionate spirit and love for all living beings. As her family beautifully expressed, "In the beginning there is the end and at the end there is the beginning........ Running free with Alan on the golden roads of Heaven....." Shirley Anne Rouse's life was a tapestry of love, dedication, and grace. Her memory will forever be cherished in the hearts of those she touched. She now embarks on her next journey, reunited with her beloved Alan, leaving behind a legacy of love and a reminder of the beauty in life's simple moments.