Retha Athey Shirkey, 93, of Houston, TX; died Tuesday, March 29, 2022.
Miss Shirkey was born October 9, 1928 in York, PA; the daughter of the late Melville K. Shirkey and Retha Athey Shirkey. She was a 1946 graduate of John Handley High School, Winchester, VA and a 1950 graduate of Madison College. She began her career teaching at Warren County High School then moved to Langley Field, VA where she worked for NASA as a technical librarian. In 1962 she transferred to Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Houston where she worked until her retirement in 1979. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church-Houston and was active in the Chancel Choir, Women of the Church and served as Elder. Following retirement from NASA, she volunteered twenty-four years at Operation ID, an FPC ministry to the homeless. She also enjoyed travel and took many trips, including visiting all seven continents. She was a member of the Special Libraries Association from 1963 to 1979, having served as Treasurer of the Texas Chapter.
She was the last member of her immediate family.
A graveside service will be held at Mt. Hebron Cemetery on Monday, April 11, 2022 at 12 noon at Mount Hebron Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church-Houston on April 21, 2022.
Memorial gifts may be made to First Presbyterian Church-Houston, 5300 Main Street, Houston TX 77004 or to a charity of choice.