Shirley Kemp

Shirley Stanton Kemp, age 74 of DeFuniak Springs passed away Saturday, November 20, 2010 in a Crestview hospital. She was born July 6, 1936 in Brooklyn, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Vernon and Elizabeth Dymond Stanton. In her teens she met a guy at the skating rink who was very interested in her. Living in a rural area, the skating rink was about the only hang out for kids of that day so every weekend she would be there and so would he. Finally, after much persuasion he talked her into “going out” with him the following weekend and they went, where else, the skating rink. Within the year she and the guy, Frederic Kemp were married on September 21, 1952, a marriage that would span fifty-eight years, two kids and five grandkids. During the next twenty five years she raised their kids and later was manager of a shoe store for 15 years. She and her husband lived and worked in Middletown, New York where they were faithful members for 43 years of St. Paul United Methodist Church. In their association with the church they met fellow members, Will and Karen Stabler and a lifelong friendship began. Not only were they tremendous camping buddies but also enjoyed playing cards together after their kids were raised and left home. After she left her employment at the shore store, Shirley filled her days by being a housewife and perhaps the most avid viewer of General Hospital. She was known area wide for her chili and beef stew, a staple among Yankees. When Frederic retired in 1995 they moved to DeFuniak Springs to be near Shirley’s family and became members of First United Methodist Church of DeFuniak Springs.

Among survivors are her husband, Frederic; her son Frederic E. Kemp, Jr. and wife Debra; her daughter, Judith Piacente and husband Saverio, her grandchildren, Frederic III, Garrett and wife Michelle, Emily and husband James, Vivian and husband Joseph and Raffella and husband Tino. Her brothers, Gilbert Stanton and wife Yoshikio, Wilbur Stanton and wife Evelyn and David Stanton. Her sister-in-law Helen White also survives.

Floral arrangments are being accepted or memorials may be made in Shirley Kemp’s memory to First United Methodist Church, Post Office Box 9, DeFuniak Springs, Florida. Funeral services will be held Friday, November 26, 2010 at 11:00 A.M. in First United Methodist Church with Reverend Rob West officiating. Graveside services will take place in Bloomingburg Rural Cemetery in Bloomingburg, New York on Saturday, December 11, 2010 at 2:00 P.M.