Shirley J. Erickson, 91 of Mt. Holly Springs, passed away peacefully into the arms of her Lord on Saturday, March 15, 2014, at Carlisle Regional Medical Center. She was born on November 7, 1922 in Manchester, New Hampshire, the daughter of the late Howard (Jimmy) and Polly (Austin) Jennings, and was the widow of Robert C. Erickson, Sr. who died September 7, 1983.

Shirley's father, a naval officer was stationed in the Canal Zone, Panama, where Shirley lived for seventeen years. She loved the culture of Panama, continuing to share her love of the language, food and dance with family and friends. Shirley's passion was to be creative. She enjoyed sewing clothes, designing decoupage purses, and painting. Her home was always decorated for every holiday.

Shirley and her husband were Jr. High School sweethearts, meeting in the 7th grade. She graduated from Cristobal High School, Panama and attended Linden Hall in Lititz. Shirley and Robert (Bob) were married at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in the Panama Canal Zone, and then moved to Mt. Holly Springs, where they raised three children. Shirley lived on the Pine Road for 65 years and was blessed to have wonderful neighbors and friends always nearby.

She is survived by her daughter Jackie of Bothel, WA, son Robert (wife, Nancy) of Oswego, IL, son in law, Donnie DeWalt (wife, Jacquie) of Boiling Springs and one brother, James Smoot (wife, Sharie) of Panama.

Known affectionately to her grandchildren as "nana", she is survived by six grandchildren; Deke Culp of Seattle, WA, Robert Erickson III of Boyce, VA, Brita Adams of Dillsburg, Justin Erickson of New Bern, NC, Drew DeWalt of Boiling Springs and Lance DeWalt of Philadelphia. She is also survived by ten great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Shirley was preceded in death by her daughter, Sandy DeWalt and two great grandchildren.

Shirley was a member of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Carlisle, where she made many wonderful friends. The family would like to thank friend and caregiver Jane Clopper for being there and a part of our family for the past seven years.

Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. - 11:00 a.m., with funeral services to follow on Thursday, March 20, 2014, in the Ewing Brothers Funeral Home, 630 S. Hanover St., Carlisle, with Rev. Carol Bowman officiating. Interment will be in Cumberland Valley Memorial Gardens, Carlisle.Memorials may be made to Celtic Hospice and Home Health, Carlisle or the hospice of your choice. Shirley admired the care provided by hospice, after seeing the care provided for her daughter.