Shirley Troub Walker, 104 years of age, of West Hartford, died peacefully at home in the care of her family on July 20, 2008. Shirley was a warm, loving, generous woman throughout her long life, brightening the days of family, friends and even her most casual contacts. She was born in Mikolajow, Austria on April 24, 1904, the daughter of the late Dora and Moses Troub. Shirley immigrated to the United States in 1913 to avoid the impending war. Her family settled in Hartford, Connecticut where Shirley attended the Arsenal School, graduated from Hartford High School and earned her teaching certificate at the Culver-Smith Kindergarten Training School, followed by continued studies at Trinity College, Saint Joseph?s College, University of Hartford, Central Connecticut State College, and New York University. Shirley was proud of her 40-year career as a kindergarten teacher at the Barnard Brown School in Hartford, where she served as a Master Teacher training Central Connecticut State College student teachers and instituted a Montessori Program. Shirley was dedicated to her students? well-being providing breakfast, learning Spanish when the demographics of the population shifted and implementing an enriched curriculum. As a Jewish teacher, she was a pioneer at a time when Jews faced employment discrimination.

Shirley married Lieutenant Colonel Jack Walker after his service in World War II. She was stationed with him in Germany during the Korean War, traveling extensively throughout Europe. Shirley taught Sunday School at the Congregation Beth Israel for 17 years and at Emanuel Synagogue in New York City for 5 years. She was recognized with an Emeritus Reward for her volunteer work for the New York Chapter of the American Red Cross. Into her 90’s she was a top ticket seller for the annual University of Hartford Art School House and Garden Fundraiser.

Shirley was a devoted mother to her daughter Constance Troub Walker, M.D. and embraced Connie?s husband Jonathan as a son. The pride and joy of her later life were her three grandchildren, Abraham Jacob Walker, Sara Esther Walker, and Dvora Jenna Walker, who returned her adoration. They came to expect showers of kisses, pointed inquiries into their studies and ?fun,? extremely generous financial support, and her belief that anything they did was wonderful.

Shirley, the family matriarch, is also survived by Esther Troub Saxe, her sister and lifelong best friend, her nephews, Stephen Troub Meadow and his wife Roz, Charles Troub Meadow and his wife Mary Louise, and her nieces Frances Troub Roberts and her partner Betty, and Micky Friedman, as well as numerous great and grand nieces and nephews. She was pre-deceased by her devoted husband Jack and by five of her siblings, Leonard Troub, Bernard Troub, Julius Troub, Florence Troub Meadow and David Troub.

The family is deeply appreciative of the loving care and companionship Shirley received from Anne Betts, Carnetta Ellis, Stacey Marley, and all the other care givers who optimized the last 6 years of Shirley?s life.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, July 23 at 10:00 am in the Silberman Chapel of Congregation Beth Israel, 701 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford with Rabbi Stephen Fuchs officiating. Interment will follow in Congregation Beth Israel Cemetery, Hartford. The family will receive relatives and friends at their home, 46 Ballard Drive, West Hartford, Wednesday following the funeral, and Thursday and Friday 4-6 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations in Shirley?s memory may be made to Beth Israel Children?s Library or to a charity of the donor?s choice. For further information, directions, or to share memories of Shirley with her family, please visit online at www.weinsteinmortuary.com.