LARGO, FL – Shirley Beriau, 95, formerly of Plattsburgh, passed away peacefully on December 8, 2023.

She was born on January 3, 1928, daughter of James and Beatrice (Gormley) Kilcup.

Shirley grew up in Montreal and was a devout Baptist.  She met the love of her life Francis "Fireball" Beriau and they married in 1953.  Following their marriage, Shirley converted to Catholicism and they moved to the states where she became a naturalized American citizen.

Shirley had strong love for her family and was especially devoted to her grandchildren, James and David, twins Leon and Ignatius and was very touched to meet her granddaughter, Michelle and family, at Shirley's 90th birthday celebration.  As their families expanded, Shirley grew close to Jimmy's wife, Olivia, and the twins' mother, Rosanny.  She was thrilled with the arrival of her great grandchildren, Elizabeth & Steven, and was looking forward to meeting Jacob, this coming February, who was born early this year.

Prior to her marriage, Shirley received recognition and a reward for averting a bank robbery while working as a bank teller in Montreal.   During her children's younger years, she devoted her life to raising her family, and later worked as a bookkeeper and in the retail industry.

Shirley had many experiences throughout her lifetime including backpacking through Europe at the age of 69 with her dear niece, Carol.  Shirley had many interests and designed and made the Halloween costumes every year for her children, was a member of the Sweet Adelines for many years, and served as a girl scout leader and softball coach.

Shirley had a great love for Christmas, and was even featured on the news for her elaborate Christmas village. She also enjoyed watching old films and musicals, reading, and doing needlepoint.

At the young age of 89, Shirley decided to sell her home and relocate to Florida where she spent the last 6 years.

Those left to cherish her memory are her children, Anne (Mal) Cutaiar, Sandra Ansell, Debra Kimok, and James Beriau; grandchildren, James Carr II (Olivia), Leon Beriau, Ignatius Beriau, Michelle Luterman Alfonso (Jason), Michelle McKinnon (Thomas) and their children and grandchildren, and Scott Cutaiar (Beth) and their children and grandchildren; and great-grandchildren, Elizabeth, Steven, Jacob, Sienna, and Roman.

She was predeceased by her husband of 53 years, Francis Beriau in 2006; her parents; siblings, Harley Kilcup and Elsie Kilcup (who died in the Halifax Explosion before she was born), Murray Kilcup, Roland Kilcup, Pearl Ramsay, and Hilda Hyde, with whom she was very close; her beloved grandson, David Carr in 2020; and her beloved pug, Molly in 2023.

Visitation will be held on Friday, December 15, 2023 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the R.W. Walker Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. in St. John's Church in Plattsburgh.  Pall bearers will be James Beriau, James Carr II, Elizabeth Carr, Mal Cutaiar, Burt Mallin and Michelle McKinnon.

Burial will take place in the spring in St. Mary's of the Lake Cemetery on Cumberland Head.

Donations in her memory may be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital.

To share a memory or condolence with the family, please visit www.rwwalkerfh.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the R.W. Walker Funeral Home, 69 Court Street, Plattsburgh, NY.