Shirley Branna

Shirley Jean Stevenson Branna

 October 6, 1934 - October 27, 2023

Shirley Jean Stevenson Branna, age 89, passed away peacefully at home on October 27, 2023. She was raised in Teaneck, NJ and attended Teaneck High School. Afterwards, she held clerical positions until her marriage to Joseph F. Branna and subsequent move to Mahopac, NY in 1957. In 1964, her husband’s job transfer brought the family back to New Jersey, and they settled in Mahwah, where Shirley was an active volunteer at Immaculate Conception Church and School in Mahwah. Later she joined the Ramsey Presbyterian Church and enjoyed many activities there. When her children were grown, Shirley returned to work, first in the office of New York Twist Drill, Ramsey, and later in the Pascack Valley Regional High School District Office in Montvale. Upon retirement, she volunteered at Mahwah’s Center for Food Action for many years. She enjoyed traveling with her husband and friends both within the United States and in Europe. Shirley took great pride in the fact she was able to maintain her home and property, even after becoming a widow in 1988 at the age of 53. Surviving are her children, Jean Branna (Ed McNamara) of Setauket, NY; Pamela Gannon of Washingtonville, NY; and Tom Branna (MaryEllen MacIsaac Branna) of Ramsey. She is also survived by her seven grandchildren: Seth Gannon (Kiki Michael), Michael Gannon (Amy Seaman), James McNamara, Beth Vereb (Steve), and Erin Branna, Kate Branna and Laura Branna as well as her great-grandchild, Cole Vereb, and her nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her husband, parents Clara Barenda Stevenson and Robert Stevenson, sisters Claire Winship and Doris Nerger, brother Bob Stevenson, son-in-law Warren Gannon, and nephew Steven Winship.

A memorial service was held at the First Presbyterian Church of Ramsey on December 8, 2023, and her ashes were interred at George Washington Memorial Park, Paramus.

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