Shirley J. Emery
Shirley J. Emery, 88, of Pohatcong Twp., N.J., passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 25, 2025. On July 10, 1936, Shirley was born in Phillipsburg, N.J. to the late John J. Miller and Rose Nemeth Miller. She grew up in the “the flats” of Phillipsburg on Howard Street. She was a devoted wife to the late H. Thomas Emery, who passed away on April 25, 2012.
Shirley completed 12 years of Catholic education, graduating from St. Philip and St. James High School in 1954. She was a member of the SPSJ High School Girls Basketball Team. Shirley married Tom in 1957. In 1964, they moved to Pohatcong Township, where they continued to grow and raise their family. They were parishioners of St. Mary Catholic Church in Alpha, N.J. She spent many years as a CCD teacher for the parish. Shirley was a Huntington Volunteer Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary member, while her husband, Tom, was an active volunteer fireman. From 1967 to 1968, Shirley served as the President of the Ladies Auxiliary.
Before having children, Shirley was employed by J.T. Baker Chemical in Phillipsburg, N.J. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years. During these years, she could be found checking coats at Morrie’s Acres and Ginople’s Beefeaters restaurants. Tom and Shirley were the owners and operators of Emery’s Restaurant in Easton, PA. In addition, she worked a short period of time at Koh-I-Noor in Bloomsbury N.J. and many years at Ingersol-Dresser Pump Company in Phillipsburg, N.J. Shirley ended her working years as the Police Records Clerk with Lopatcong Township Police Department, retiring in 2017 at the age of 80. Shirley and Tom traveled to many destinations over the years, where they proudly donned matching outfits. Their favorites included Lancaster, Gettysburg, Florida and sailing the seas on various cruise ships.
Shirley is survived by her children: Carol Bevilacqua and husband Larry, Thomas, Sharon and granddaughter, Melissa Emery. In addition to her husband and parents, she is predeceased by brothers, Louis and John Miller, sister, Irene Deacon and daughter-in-law, Jody Emery.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at 10 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church, 830 5th Ave., Alpha, N.J. Interment will follow in the Sts. Philip and James Catholic Cemetery in Greenwich Township, N.J. No Calling Hours. The Finegan Funeral Homes of Phillipsburg & Alpha are coordinating arrangements. Visit www.fineganfh.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Shirley Emery’s name to the Huntington Volunteer Fire Co., 1 Maple Ave., Phillipsburg, NJ 08865.