Shirley Ann Cranston, 54 of Fayetteville passed away on March 19, 2013 following a courageous 21 month battle with cancer. She was born January 18, 1959 in Evanston, Illinois, daughter of Felix Hostnick and Nancy Paxton.
Shirley worked 23 years as a bank teller for Bank of Fayetteville. She loved the caring and training of horses and dogs. Her love of animals also included many rescues. Shirley’s passion for animal rescue was widely known. Oaklawn Park wrote an article on her saving an orphaned foal which later won three races. Shirley was very creative in her hobbies of needlepoint, photography, gardening and continuous home improvements. She loved the competition of dog agility training. Her border collie, Lacy was showing early promise when the cancer was diagnosed. Over 20 race horses were retired and retrained for adoption under her watchful eye. Absolutely no abuse was allowed in her training regimen. Trainers from Oaklawn Park sent many expensive thoroughbreds for turn out and rehab knowing of her care. Many an afternoon found Shirley working with young horses, without use of halter on lead. Her kindness and bright smile will be missed. She will be remembered for facing death with courage, never once complaining but fighting to the end. Shirley Ann will be forever remembered by her surviving husband, Mel Cranston of Fayetteville; his children, Erin Layne and family of Broken Arrow, Okla, Jacob Cranston and family of Fayetteville. She was preceded in death by her brother, Stephen Hostnick. Other surviving family include mother, Nancy Paxton, stepfather, Del Paxton, brother, Scott Hostnick, nephew, Tim Hostnick all of Springhill, Florida, sister, Suzanne and husband Steven Henault of Middleboro, Mass; nieces, Jessica Hostnick of Medway, Mass and Jenifer Hostnick of newton, NH.
A memorial service will be held 10:00 AM, Tuesday, April 2, 2013 at Beard’s Funeral Chapel with Rev. Gary Lunsford officiating.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.beardsfuneralchapel.com.
Our thoughts and deepest sympathy are with Mel and Shirley’s family. We loved Shirley…admired her spirit, compassion, strength, and unselfish soul. She was an inspiration with her positive attitude and conviction. She will be missed by many because she was loved by many. I so enjoyed our visits over the last couple of years….always had that beautiful smile for me. We pray she is at peace.
Mel,
Nate learned this morning of Shirley’s passing. We had no idea and are so very very sorry! We will always remember her. We send love and prayers.
We just heard of Shirley’s passing. So sorry for your loss and are sending our love.
We have just recently learned of Shirley’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
I send you many loving thoughts at this time of sadness.
Grisso and I admired Shirley and her unflagging devotion
to the horses. I treasure the many memories from that
time. I regret that I did not know of her illness.
Judy Grisso
So sorry for your loss Mel. We’re thinking of you.
Dear Mel & family,
I am so sorry to hear of Shirley’s passing. Lots of hugs and kisses to you all and much sympathy.
Love,
Cousin Rita
Our thoughts and prayers go out to you Mel and Shirley’s family! So sorry for your loss! We only knew Shirley for a short time, but from the day we met, we knew she was a special person! God Bless! Rachel Perez and Debbie Uekman
Mel and family,
I am so sorry that I didn’t get to meet Shirley but it sounds like she put up quite a battle. Ed and Jane filled me in on Shirley’s condition when we had the DeWald Reunion in Iowa in 2011. I also was happy to see the photos that Sherry and Reg shared when they visited with you and Shirley at races. I have you in my thoughts and prayers. Love, Couisn Carole Cranston Lyons
Shirley had a great energy and love of life. She made a difference in the lives of so many animals and brought joy to those around her. She will be missed. We wish her peace and Godspeed.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Shirley was a very special person and she will be missed dearly. I’m very sorry for your loss.
I only knew Shirley through the Bank of Fayetteville, mostly going through the drive-in. I was a regular customer and when I drove up, if I saw Shirley was behind the window, it would always bring a smile to my face. We might not exchange anything more than a quick hello, but she always had such a positive attitude and I would make a point of waving goodbye as I drove out and past the window.
I’m so very sorry for your loss.
Mel,
I am sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Vernon
Dear Mel,
We are so sad that Shirley has passed. She was such a gentle person, and for a good period of time she meant so much to Hannah and taught Hannah the value of caring for horses. We will always be grateful for that. You are in our thoughts. Love, The McLemores
Dear Mel,
We are so sad that Shirley has passed. She was such a gentle person, and for a good period of time she meant so much to Hannah and taught Hannah the value of caring for horses. We will always be grateful for that. You will be in our thoughts. Love, The McLemores
Mel,
We were so saddened when we opened the paper and read of Shirley’s death. We remember seeing Shirley always working with the horses she loved. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family during this difficult time.
Mel, Shirley and you made a great couple – we know you have a heavy heart.
Our thoughts and sympathies are with you in your sorrow.
Condolence
Mel, I am so sorry to find of Shirley’s passing. I hunted her down to make her a teller at the Bank of Fayetteville. I couldn’t forget how good she had been at 1st Nat’l. She never disappointed me. She was always balanced and no time was ever wasted on her failures. I am so saddened by all of this and I pray that you will be well. I know that every time you see a horse, etc you will think of her and her love for those animals that other people so often though of as just dumb animals. I’ll
never forget her.