Shirley Cusick

Shirley Marie (Lyons) Cusick, 87, of Allen, Texas, devoted mother and wife, passed away Saturday, January 6, 2024 in her home. She was born January 31,1936 in Sharon, Pennsylvania to Thomas and Teresa (Cumley) Lyons.  She attended Kent State University.  She worked as a legal and educational secretary for many years at Lacy Katzen, LLP, McQuaid Jesuit High School in Rochester, New York and Saint John Paul II High School in Boca Raton, Florida.

Shirley set an example by living a life of active volunteering for many organizations - The Cobb Cultural Arts Organization (Marietta, Georgia); Allen Food Pantry through St. Jude’s Catholic Church (Allen, Texas); philanthropic work for the Allen Philharmonic Orchestra (Allen, Texas); and most recently for the Allen Public Library (Allen, Texas), where she regularly created the content for the display cases at the main entrance using her artistic skills to feature the upcoming program activities, and by welcoming visiting authors for the ALLen Reads Program.

Shirley was also a prize-winning painter, drawing the inspiration for most of her work from the natural world. Her preferred mediums were watercolors and pastels, at which she excelled. She was one of the featured member artists in the Visual Arts League of Allen’s 2021 Member Art Book.

Shirley enjoyed being outside as an avid golfer. She and her husband, Michael’s, love for golf fostered the same love of the game in her three children. As well, Shirley's love for the outdoors was always very evident in her gardening skills around the landscape of her home.  She took immense pride in growing vegetables, planting flowers, shrubs and even trees each and every spring.

Shirley is survived by her husband Michael Cusick, her sons Timothy (Vicki) Cusick, Gregory Cusick, Patrick (Angela) Cusick; grandchildren Madeline, Carson, and Noble and her sister Suzanne (Lyons) Weller. She is preceded in death by her parents, and her sister Patience (Lyons) Kawana.

A funeral mass will be held on Friday January 19th at 2:00 p.m. at St. Elizabeth Anne Seton Catholic Church, 2700 W. Spring Creek Pkwy, Plano, Texas 75023, with a reception to follow at the home of Tim & Vicki Cusick. Rev. Bruce Bradley will officiate.  If you wish to join the mass via webcast, please visit: https://youtube.com/live/ZqAiEpOZfAk?feature=share

If you would like to make a gift in honor and memory of Mrs. Shirley Cusick, a donation can be made to:  Friends of Allen Public Library Bach to Books. To arrange a donation, please contact Mr. Tom Keener at 214-509-4911.