Shirley C. "Sciolino" Emden

Shirley Catherine Emden, 85, of Abbeville, died Thursday, November 30, 2017 at her residence.  She was born December 26, 1931 in Buffalo, New York, the daughter of Agnes (Hunt) & Samuel Sciolino. Shirley was married to the late Harry Emden for 45 years. She and Harry relocated to Abbeville in 1986 after traveling the west & living in Colorado and Arizona.  Shirley worked for the City of Abbeville as Assistant City Clerk and retired in 1997. She was a tireless volunteer for many Abbeville organizations while working and after retirement in this beautiful city. Shirley spent over 25 years as a volunteer and on the Board of Directors at the Abbeville Opera House. She led two major projects at the Opera House during her tenure. Shirley was the project manager for the seating renovation in the 1990’s. In the mid 2000’s, she led the Dressing Room Renovation Project obtaining funding through the South Carolina Heritage Corridor in preparation of the 100th year Gala in 2007. Shirley also served many years as a Box Office Volunteer and advocate to bring quality theatrical entertainment to the region. She was a former President and Board member of the Abbeville County Library where she spearheaded the purchase and design of the new Abbeville County Library relocated on North Main Street in 2012. Shirley gave many selfless years of effort with the Friends of the Library and their book sales. This was a passion for both Harry and Shirley opening up the world of reading and to all who walk through the halls of the Abbeville County Library. Shirley was a founding member of UCMAC offering free food and medical care to Abbeville. She was proud of her association and enjoyed working with the volunteers at the UCMAC food pantry up until September of this year. Shirley was a long standing member of Main Street United Methodist Church in Abbeville. In her last years, Shirley enjoyed volunteering at the McGowan, Barksdale Bundy House and honored to be a board member of the Abbeville Historical Society. She was also a participant of the Literary Lantern Book Club and a long term board member of the City of Abbeville Planning Commission. Shirley was predeceased by her parents and brother, Robert Sciolino. She is survived by a son Alan Thomas Sturm of the home; daughter Rebecca Farmer (Rev. Jeff Farmer) of Pauline, SC; daughter, Patricia Sheafley (Eldon Sheafley) of Sarasota, FL; special sister-in-law, Diane Sciolino of Savannah, GA; grandchildren, Mandy Yates (Rhett) of Jacksonville, FL, Alan Joshua Sturm of Louisburg, KS, Jessica Duch (Conan) of Chico, CA and Courtney Wulf of Sarasota, FL; and three great grandchildren, Tanner, Kelsey and Susannah Rose. Shirley will be fondly remembered by her spirit of life and the countless lives she touched with friends and family across many cities and states.  The family will receive friends 2:00PM – 3:00PM, Sunday, December 10, 2017 at Harris Funeral Home.  A Service to Celebrate Shirley’s Life will begin at 3:30PM on Sunday at Main Street United Methodist Church with Rev. Brian Arant and Rev. Randy Taylor officiating. Memorial contributions, in memory of Mrs. Emden, may be sent to HospiceCare of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Ave., Greenwood, SC 29646, Friends of the Abbeville Libraries, 1407 North Main Street, Abbeville, SC 29620 or the Abbeville Opera House, P.O. Box 247, Abbeville, SC 29620. A message of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting www.harrisfuneral.com. Harris Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Abbeville is assisting the Emden family.