Shirley Mildred Goebel

Shirley Mildred Goebel was born August 14, 1923 to Mildred Hammond and Erwin Schuyler Fink in Pearl River, NY. She passed away August. 23, 2014 in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Shirley grew up in Pearl River. She came from a loving family that was always a busy household full of children and extended family. After high school, Shirley worked in the veterinary division of Lederle Laboratories in Pearl River, NY before meeting her husband, Dr. John D. Goebel. Shirley and John were introduced on a blind date arranged by their younger siblings. Shirley's brother, Erv, was engaged to marry John's sister, Doris. It was love at first sight. After a whirlwind courtship, Shirley and John were married 6 weeks later beating Erv and Doris to the alter. Shirley supported John as he established his veterinary practice until the children arrived. She is survived by a daughter, Shirley Goebel Christie and her husband, Jerry Christie, two sons, John Jeffery (JJ) Goebel and his wife, Dawn Goebel, and Gary Jay Goebel and his wife, Susanne Goebel. Shirley and John shared great joy in going to the beach and entertaining family and friends in their home in Lavallette,NJ before moving to Florida. Friends and family were always welcome at the beach where Shirley specialized in serving lasagna. She taught her grandchildren how to body surf and ride the waves in the ocean. She also taught all of her children and grandchildren how to swim. Shirley was the riding the waves in Lavallette until she was 87 years old. Shirley is survived by her grandchildren Kelley Christie, Peter Christie, Morgan Goebel, J. Rily Goebel, Cathrine Reynolds, and David Pfeiffer, her sister, Dottie Clark, her two sisters-in-law, Doris Fink and Mildred Lewis, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. A calling hour will be held on August 30 at Palms West Funeral Home, 110 Business Park Way, Royal Palm Beach, FL from 10-11am followed by a memorial service at 11am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Palm Beach.