Shirley Cottrell Wood, age 81, of York, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully on February 26, 2026, at Dallastown Victorian Villa in Dallastown, PA, with her loving husband by her side.

Shirley was born on July 2, 1944, in Woodlawn, Tennessee, to Stanley and Ida Cottrell while her father was stationed at Camp Campbell. She grew up in Tennessee and Kentucky and graduated from Munfordville High School in Munfordville, KY.

Affectionately known as "Sissy" to her grandchildren, Shirley is survived by her beloved husband of nearly 38 years, Michael Locke. She is also survived by her daughters Cynthia Wester (Albert) and Debra Seunarine (Jai); and her stepdaughters Robin Crisp (Chris) and Amy Lovisone (Rick).

She earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY. She later received a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Art Education from Memphis State University and earned her Rank 1 Advanced Degree in Secondary Education from the School of Teacher Education at Western Kentucky University.

Shirley was licensed to teach Art (K–12) in Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Maryland, and dedicated more than 34 years of her life to teaching art, from 1967 until her retirement in 2001.

Shirley was deeply active in First Baptist Church in Bowling Green, Kentucky, where she faithfully served in many capacities. Her ministries included work with the Deaf Ministry, teaching Vacation Bible School, assisting with the church's television production team when Sunday services first aired on television, and spending countless Sunday afternoons visiting homebound and nursing‑home members.

After retiring in 2001, Shirley joyfully became a full‑time nanny to her grandchildren in Maryland, supporting her family as her daughter returned to work. All of her grandchildren's friends knew her lovingly as "Sissy," and many were fortunate enough to receive art lessons during their visits—something Shirley delighted in sharing.

Shirley was a devoted and loving grandmother to Cree Seunarine, Joseph Wester, Tate Seunarine, and Evan Wester. She was also blessed to be a grandmother to her step‑grandchildren Colin Crisp, Kyle Lovisone (Sierra), Carstin Crisp, Jacob Lovisone, Ella Lovisone, Zack Lovisone, and Cole Lovisone.

She is survived by her siblings Stanley Cottrell, Jr. (Carol), Harold Cottrell (Marcia Hays), and Pam Coy (Greg). Shirley was preceded in death by her sisters Debi Glaab and Mary Wiefek, and by her parents Stanley Cottrell Sr. and Ida Sharpe Cottrell.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, March 5, 2026, from 2:30 PM to 3:00 PM at: Austin H. Eberly Funeral Home, Inc. 104 West Main Street Dallastown, PA 17313. A Celebration of Life service will follow immediately at 3:00 PM at the same location. The service will be livestreamed beginning at 3:00 PM, please see link below to watch.