Faith (Harding) Shireman died July 27, 2023 at Moravian Hall Square, aged 97. She was born in Pen Argyl, PA on August 18, 1925, the daughter of Mamie Hahn and Ralph Harding. She moved to Easton after graduating from Pen Argyl High School, but not before she was counted among the “Fairest” young women featured in Homefront. She was also active in the Glee Club, Drum Majorettes, and the Tri-Hi-Y.
After she graduated from Churchman’s Business College, she was a legal secretary for Fox & Oldt. She also joined the Easton Art League where she met her future husband, Woodrow E. Shireman. When Woody died in 2008, they’d been married for almost 55 years.
Her two brothers, Merrill H. Harding and Leroy G. Harding, also predeceased her.
She is survived by three children: son Jonathan (Patricia Harstine), and daughters Stephanie (Robert Boenau) and Melinda (Bryan Statler), as well as two beloved grandsons, Ajen (Sarah Robinson) and Kylan; and great-grandson, Maxwell, and great-granddaughter, Cadence.
She was active in many community organizations, including Great Books and Great Discussions, the Children’s Home and Auxiliary, the Junior Service League, LePoCo, League of Women Voters, and the ProJeCt adult literacy program. But closest to her heart were the long-running Book Group she joined in 1953, and Lehigh Valley Friends Meeting (Quaker).
She loved swimming in the Delaware, hiking up Hawk Mountain, and camping in the Poconos. She was also an avid reader, gardener, birdwatcher, and an excellent cook.
Most of all, no one can forget her passionate support for equal rights, her wonderful sense of humor, and her magical, musical laugh.
A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, October 14, 2023 at Lehigh Valley Friends Meeting House, 4116 Bath Pike, Bethlehem. Interment will be private at Fairview Cemetery, Pen Argyl. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements.
Contributions in her memory can be made to any equal justice or environmental cause.
