Shirley M. (Busse) Walrath, 76;

Cook At Many Local Restaurants

COOPERSTOWN – Shirley M. (Busse) Walrath, 76. One of Cooperstown’s gems “Shirl the Pearl” Walrath responded to her final job interview and joined the staff in heaven on March 20, 2019.

Born June 5, 1942, in Cooperstown, Shirley was the daughter of Cecil and Hilda (Bennett) Chandler.

She was a lifelong Cooperstown resident and a well-known “local institution.” Shirley was one of Cooperstown’s biggest fans; she loved living in the village.

From a young age, Shirley took care of others. She left high school to care for her father and brothers when her mother died. She was a hard and dedicated worker always giving 110 percent.

She worked as a cook at one time or another for many of the restaurants in Cooperstown, among them the Lakefront, Hitching Post, Glimmerglass Café, TJ’s, Toscana’s and Mel’s, as well as volunteering at the Vet’s Club.