Shirley Charlesworth

Shirley A. Charlesworth, 85, Altoona, passed away Sunday at Altoona Center for Nursing Care. She was born in Altoona, daughter of the late Max and Madeline (Koch) Charlesworth.

Surviving are, a sister, Nancy Kutz of Phoenix, Ariz.; and two brothers, Max R. (Toni) of Hollidaysburg and David (Celeste) of Altoona; three nieces, Heather Lay of Nokesville, Va., Cindy (Albert) Gimbrone of East Otto, N.Y. and Heidi Starostecki of Phoenix, Ariz.; and four nephews, Scott (Rene) Kutz of Louisville, Ky., Damian (Kelly) Charlesworth of Altoona, Eric (Andrea) Charlesworth of Phoenixville, Pa., and James Charlesworth of Dorchester, Mass.; and several grand-nieces and grand-nephews; and a special cousin, Glenn Wiseman of Syracuse, N.Y.

Shirley graduated from Altoona High School in 1953, attended Penn State Altoona, and graduated from Weaver Airline School in Kansas City, Mo. There, she met her lifelong friend, Helen Brieger. Shirley moved to New York City, where she began a lifetime career with Capitol Airlines which eventually merged with United Airlines. She retired after 35 years of service, while employed for United. Shirley was a ticket agent at the Broadway office and moved to the office in the newly constructed World Trade Center, where she worked for 17 years. Even though Shirley had retired before 9/11, she never forgot her years at the Trade Center. She, like so many Americans, was deeply affected by the tragic events of that day. She represented United Airlines at the World Fair in Flushing, N.Y. in 1964 and 1965. While working the exhibit, she gave several celebrities tours of the facility.

As Shirley’s nieces and nephews came of age (12), she had each of them to her home in New York and spent a week treating them to any and all the places in the city, whatever they wanted. These memories remain forever precious to her nieces and nephews.

Shirley and her friends traveled to many spots around the world. She also took her parents many places. She enjoyed reading and doing crossword puzzles. Even though she was from the mountains of Pennsylvania, Shirley’s favorite spot was the ocean.

There will be no visitation or services.

Arrangements are by Jones Funeral Home, Altoona.