M. Shirley Jobson

M. Shirley Jobson, 93, of Watertown, NY, passed away peacefully on January 1, 2025 at Samaritan Summit Village, where she had been a resident since 2019.

Shirley was born on August 4, 1931, in Kingston, Ontario, Canada, the daughter of Clifford and Sadie (McGuire) Greenwood. She grew up on Wolfe Island in Canada before moving to Northern New York in 1946.

Both Shirley and Clarence grew up in Canada and moved to the U.S. a year apart and met at LaFargeville High School. Shirley graduated from LaFargeville High School in 1949. On October 27, 1951, Shirley married her high school sweetheart, Clarence A. Jobson, at a ceremony in Evans Mills, NY. Always holding hands, they showed us the beauty and strength of everlasting love. Together they shared 70 wonderful years before Clarence’s passing on December 13, 2021.

Shirley and her husband began their marriage working at Timmerman's Turkey Farm in LaFargeville. In 1958, Shirley and Clarence moved their family to Hancock Street in Watertown, NY. It took no time at all for them to be welcomed and to make their family a  part of this warm neighborhood. In 1964, the family moved to Brainard St, inheriting a poodle named Marcel. Shirley and Clarence lived there for 55+ years before moving to Samaritan Summit Village in 2019.

A devoted wife and mother, Shirley dedicated her early years to raising her children while working at Grant's Clothing Store and selling Avon products. In 1971 she began as a substitute cafeteria worker for the Watertown City School District and in 1972 became a permanent “lunch lady”, starting at at KnickerbockerElementary School.  She worked the teacher's line at Watertown High School and pre packed lunches before being transferred to Wiley.  She retired as the Cook Manager in 2002. 

Shirley and Clarence loved square dancing and round dancing. When the children were young, the whole family (even baby Larry in a bassinet) went weekly to a town barn where Linda, Diane, and Kay learned the art of square dancing. Shirley and Clarence were active members of the round and square dance club, dancing 1 to 2 times every week in their matching square dance outfits made by Diane.

Shirley was an active member of the Home Bureau. She and Clarence volunteered many hours at the North Side Improvement League, especially serving dinners for special events.

Shirley and Clarence also loved their dogs, including their granddogs and great granddogs! Shirley spoiled the dogs with table food for breakfast (including homemade strawberry jam!), lunch, and dinner.

Shirley is survived by her three children: Diane (Patrick) Hayes of Clayton, NY; Kay (Joseph) Woodward of Watertown, NY; and Larry (Karen) Jobson of Brownville, NY. She also leaves behind six grandchildren: Paul (Megan) Hayes, Mark (Aimee) Hayes, Jason (Sara) Hayes, Megan (Andrew) Thomas, Victoria Woodward, and Emily (Jimmy) Baker; as well as nine great-grandchildren: Eily and Wesley Hayes, Teaghan and Brantley Hayes, Maeve Hayes, Kallen and Beckett Thomas, Eli and Avery Baker.  She is also survived by her two sisters, M. Eileen Baker and Mary Louise (Robert) Lyman, both of Florida; and her brother, Lorne (Virginia) Greenwood, of South Carolina; her two sisters-in-law, Geraldine (David) Brass, Rodman, NY and Elaine Jobson, FL; and many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her cousins, Harold and Carolyn O’Brien.

In addition to her parents, Shirley was predeceased by her husband, Clarence, and her daughter and her husband, Linda (Walter) Valenteen and  a son in law, Gary Hayes. She was also predeceased by three brother-in-laws: Gene Jobson, Gordon Jobson, and Ed Baker.

Calling hours will be held on Monday, January 6, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Hart & Bruce Funeral Home in Watertown. 

A prayer service will take place on Tuesday, January 7, at 10:15 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by an 11:00 a.m. Funeral Mass at Holy Family Church. Burial will follow at Glenwood Cemetery.

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the nurses and staff at Summit’s 2nd floor Skilled Nursing unit for their exceptional care and compassion during our mother’s time with them.  Their kindness and dedication brought comfort to her and our family and we are forever grateful.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Shirley’s memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 10727, Rochester, NY 14610. Online condolences may be left at www.hartandbrucefh.com.

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