Shirley Ann Petway was born to the late William Allen and Rose Wilson, a painter/visual artist, and a homemaker. She left this world on February 15, 2022, at the age of 83 after a long and courageous battle with illness. Baptized into the Christian community as a young child, she spent her lifetime serving the Lord. She was recognized as a child prodigy at the age of 3 and began playing piano for her home church at an early age. She continued to play for the church throughout her lifetime. After earning her high school diploma, she attended Hostos Community College where she studied nursing. She later served as a spokesperson for Union 1199 SEIU for Beth Israel Hospital. Shirley dedicated her life to serving and caring for others. Shirley had an uncanny ability to find happiness in everyday things, and her laugh was contagious to everyone she met. A creative artist, she was gifted in turning ordinary household objects into works of art. She loved spending time in the kitchen preparing soul food for her family and gathering her children around the table to play board games and to share her wisdom. She offered a level of honest, heartfelt love that spilled over into all that she did. Shirley will be buried alongside her husband, James Dilcey Petway. We, the family, take comfort in knowing that she is at peace surrounded by light. She was preceded in death is her youngest child, William John. Shirley leaves to mourn and cherish fond memories: her five children, Trina Allen, Anastas Magras, James Petway, Cherise Petway, and Louis John; thirteen grandchildren; Gabriel Allen Chahine, Leanna Winston, Christina John, Valerie Dream Williams, Shajuan John, Felicia Petway, David Petway, Umar Roman, Jose Antonio Roman, Rose Marie Roman, Shaheem Petway, and Kaylis Magras; thirteen great grandchildren, Asia McTeer, Shantel Kearse, Hasib Cutts, Gabrielle Alexia Allen, Mohamed Jubreal Chahine, Jalien Punter, Jaqui Mayo, Brie Anyah Diaz, Vanity Dream Williams, Essence Roman, Nehemiah Joseph Elliot, Malcolm Xavier Sumpter, and Maurice Otis Sumpter; and eight great great grandchildren, Ja'nasia McTeer-Moore, Avah McTeer-Moore, Amyra McTeer-Moore, Jamar Moore Jr., Makayla Thomas Kearse, Makai Thomas Kearse, Mariah Thomas Kearse, and Rayhana Sutton. The family extends its heartfelt thanks to everyone who came to celebrate her life.