Shirley A. Kietrys

IN LOVING MEMORY OF
SHIRLEY A. KIETRYS
1937 - 2021

It is with profound sadness and hearts filled with love that we announce the passing of Shirley A. Kietrys, a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend to all the lives she touched, on May 25, 2021. She left us during a brief hospitalization, and died peacefully, with family at her side in Christiansburg, VA.
Born in Newton, NJ in 1937 to Helen A. and Chester M. Vreeland, she was the eldest of four children. The family settled soon afterward in Hackettstown, NJ. Shirley went on to become a Registered Nurse after graduating from Hackettstown High School in 1956. A proud graduate of St. Michaels, Newark, NJ and Jersey City State College, her career would be a long, successful, and admiral one until retirement as Director of Education, Hunterdon State School, NJ. Her hobbies were achieving the things she was told she could not do! Married 59 years to her loving husband, John P. Kietrys, was a lifetime of love, laughter, stories, togetherness, family and great conversations. Shirley was the most giving, kind, generous, strong, intelligent, and gentle lady one could be so lucky to have known. She was a woman who worked diligently, always advocating for people and gave of herself without question to anyone who needed help. She will be so greatly missed. We will keep her close in our hearts and never forget the grace and compassion, and her beautiful smile she gave to the people she loved.
Shirley was preceded by her parents; brother, Ronald Vreeland; and sister, Diana Shoemaker. She is survived by her husband John; her two children, Kelley Wallace and Michael Kietrys; son-in-law, Douglas Wallace; daughter-in-law, Amy Kietrys; three wonderful grandchildren, Bradley, John, and Casey; sister, Beverly Kowalick, and many beloved family.
A memorial celebration will be set at a later date to honor her beautiful soul. May Shirley, Mom, Grandma rest in peace with our Lord and family that has gone on before us.