Shirley Yvonne Neufeld

Shirley Yvonne Neufeld, 97, of Frederick, Maryland, passed away on March 6, 2025, at the Frederick Health Hospital. She was born in Paterson, New Jersey, on July 21, 1927, to the late Alexander and Ann (Freed) Lazerowitz. She was the beloved wife of the late Harold A. Neufeld.

Shirley was extremely active in the Frederick City and County communities for many decades. She was a member of Hadassah and the National Council of Jewish Women. She was an active member of her children’s PTA and a member of the Montevue Assisted Living Auxiliary committee for over 50 years. Shirley was also a longtime member of the Beth Sholom Congregation, where she also sang in the choir.

Shirley worked for 20 years at Gov. Thomas Johnson High School, starting out as a Secretary in the Senior High School Science and Math Department before being promoted to the position of Attendance Secretary at the school's Front Office.

Shirley deeply valued her family and her many long-term friendships. She loved to host family dinners and could make matzah ball soup that no one could replicate. Shirley loved to travel, and she visited many foreign destinations, including Israel, Spain, Iceland and France. She also loved to travel to various national parks across the country and she enjoyed her many trips to the beach, as well as those to New Jersey to visit her close relatives.

Besides participating in many family and community activities, in her free time, Shirley stayed active by swimming laps at the YMCA, visiting with friends and neighbors, and going to local plays, shows and concerts. She kept her mind sharp playing weekly games of Mahjong for more than 60 years with her friends, and, it should be noted, won way more often than she lost. She was also an avid Scrabble player and could complete the crossword puzzles in the newspapers better than most.

Among her many skills, Shirley was an eloquent writer, and her flowing prose in letters, notes and cards to family and friends was penned in beautiful and stylish cursive handwriting. She also loved to garden, and she took great pleasure in planting many flowers every summer.

Shirley is survived by her children, son Howard Neufeld (Claudia), of Boone, North Carolina, grandson Ross Neufeld (Melissa), great-grandson Oliver Neufeld, and granddaughter Gabriela Neufeld; son Kenneth Neufeld (Karen), of Frederick, Maryland, grandson Josh Neufeld (Amy), great-grandson Wyatt Neufeld, great-grandson Eli Neufeld, granddaughter Staci Neufeld (Rob Simone), great-granddaughter Kayden Glotfelty, great-granddaughter Kamryn Bradley-Neufeld; daughter Marjorie Barber (Donald), of Frederick, Maryland, granddaughter Julie Barber (Josh Hurlburt), great-grandson Jesse Hurlburt, granddaughter Lisa Scherr (Michael), grandson Don Barber (Lisa), great-grandson Donovan Chapman, great-granddaughter Emma Barber, great-granddaughter Gabby Barber, granddaughter Amy Barber (AJ Caro), great-granddaughter London Stollow; son Matthew Neufeld, of Greenbelt, Maryland; her sister, Dina Tragash, of Westwood, Massachusetts; her sister, Janice Levy (Alan), of Hopedale, Massachusetts; her nieces, nephews and cousins; and her many other beloved relatives. In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her brothers Robert Lazerowitz (Carol) and Kenneth Lazerowitz.

The family would like to thank Shirley's wonderful neighbors Jean Fish, Barbara Biser, Brenda Myers, Jack Mehl and Carrie Mehl for keeping a close eye on Shirley and generally helping her out and lending a caring hand for many years.

Graveside services will be held at Resthaven Memorial Gardens, 9501 Catoctin Mountain Highway, Frederick, MD, 21701, on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at 2 p.m.  A reception will be held at Shirley's longtime home, at 117 West 14th Street, Frederick, Maryland, 21701, immediately after the services.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions may be made in Shirley’s name to the Beth Sholom Congregation, 1011 North Market Street, Frederick, MD, 21701.

Online condolences can be made at www.KeeneyBasford.com.