MAYVILLE- Shirley Marie Zeth Zentz, 82, of Mayville, passed away at her daughter's home in Dewittville, NY, on Wednesday, December 24, 2025. She was born on October 7, 1943, in Blue Knob, PA, the daughter of the late Elvin and Grace Noel Zeth.

Shirley was a 1962 graduate of Greenfield-Kimmel High School. She then moved with her family to Randolph, NY, where she met the love of her life, Richard A. Zentz. They moved to Mayville where she was a homemaker, raising three children. In 1982, she began working at Better Baked Foods in Westfield, NY, until her retirement in 2002.

Shirley enjoyed spending time with her family and dear friend, Rose, and was the biggest Buffalo Bills fan! She found joy in scrapbooking, preserving memories with care, and rarely missed an opportunity to attend her grandchildren's events. She had a deep affection for lighthouses, drawn to their quiet strength and steady glow. In many ways, Shirley was a lighthouse herself, offering guidance, warmth and comfort to those around her. Her home was a true safe haven, a place where love was unconditional, laughter was shared, tears were held, and everyone felt they belonged.

Shirley was a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend whose life was defined by love and kindness. She is survived by two children, Ronald (Jackie) Zentz, and Lorrie (Kevin Maytum) Zentz, her five grandchildren who were her greatest joys n life, Brittany (Devone), Nicholas (Rachel), Courtney (Chandler), Braiden and Kole, her treasured great-grandchildren, Madelyn, Jurnee, Brinley, Brooke, Wren, and Lennox, each of whom she held a special place in her heart. She is further survived by two brothers, Joe (Theresa) Zeth and Dan (Sandy) Zeth, and two sisters, Theresa Zeth and Patricia (Ron) Stoll.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband, Richard A. Zentz, whom she married on November 23, 1963, a son, Ricky Zentz, a brother, John Zeth and one sister, Mary Milks.

The funeral will be held at 2PM on Friday, January 2, 2026, at the Freay Funeral Home in Mayville (139 S. Erie St). The Rev. Daniel Prewitt will officiate. Burial will be in the Mayville Cemetery. The family will receive friends for two hours prior to the funeral ( Noon to 2PM ), also at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made the Chautauqua Hospice and Palliative Care (20 W Fairmount Ave, Lakewood, NY 14750) or the Patricia Allen Foundation, https://www.ochbuffalo.org/foundation/patricia-allen-fund/donate

To leave a remembrance or to post condolences to the family, please visit freayfuneralhome.com