Shirley Anne Deist

Shirley Anne Deist, 93, of Exton, PA, passed away December 15, 2022.

Born October 20, 1929, she was the daughter of the late Charles Henry Ammon, Sr. and Lillian Kathryn (nee Schellenberger) Ammon.

Shirley was the beloved wife of the late Robert P. Deist, Sr., loving mother of Kathryn Deist (Elizabeth Moncure), Robert P. Deist, Jr. (Linda), and Dieter Muller (Judy Garrison); and caring aunt of Amanda O’Brien and Charles H. Ammon, III.  She was predeceased by her son, John William Deist (Thomas Freece) and her brother Charles H. Ammon, Jr.

Born in Reading, PA, her family later moved to Sharon Hill in Delaware County.  After graduating high school, Shirley started her career as an administrative assistant, eventually landing at Wyeth Labs in West Chester, PA, where she met her husband Robert.  Shortly after their marriage, she left Wyeth to raise her family.  She was a loving and dedicated wife and mother.  Her family was her greatest joy. 

She was a devout member of the  Lutheran Church.  Her strong and unwavering faith led her to serve in many ways.  Throughout her adult life, she was deeply involved in Social Ministry at Grace Lutheran Church in Malvern, PA and St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Lionville, PA.  She was the Social Ministry Chair at St. Paul’s for a number of years, just recently stepping away from that role and serving as a consultant.  She is still considered the ‘heart and hands’ of the committee’s ongoing efforts to share the Word and support those in need, both locally and globally.

Shirley was instrumental in the start-up of the Chester Springs Chapter of Meals on Wheels and continued her work there up until the day she passed. What was very near and dear to her heart was the work she did at Safe Harbor of Chester County, helping to care for those in need of a warm meal and a place to sleep. She was also involved the Chester County Care Center and Lutheran World Relief.  She was an active member of the Crafters and interacted often with The Amigos at St. Paul’s.  Additionally, she met routinely with the Church’s Rare Birds group.

She loved music, travel and perhaps most of all, butterflies.  She dearly loved her family and the many friends she found in her journey.   In all endeavors, she was committed to serving others in whatever way she could.  A life well lived indeed.  She will be missed….

Relatives and friends are invited to her Visitation 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM, Wednesday, December 28, 2022 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 104 South Village Avenue, Exton, PA 19341; followed by her Funeral Service at 10:00 AM. The Funeral Service will be livestreamed at 10 AM at this link. Interment is St. Matthew’s Lutheran Cemetery, Chester Springs.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Safe Harbor of Chester County, 20 North Matlack St., West Chester, PA 19380.