Shirley A. (Hill) Monroe

NORTH GREENBUSH - Shirley A. Hill Monroe, 91, died Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at Van Rensselaer Manor after a long illness.

Born in Troy, NY, she was daughter of the late James W. Hill and Isabelle Turner Hill and wife of the late Ronald George Monroe.

Shirley had a busy and exciting life, She made you laugh with her sense of humor.

She worked for a time as a secretary and Lay minister, part of the prayer group chain and sewing club, and even learned to crochet at the Pawling Avenue United Methodist Church.

Shirley was a secretary for the civil engineering department at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for several years.

She loved to travel with her dear friend, Stephanie Carhart in the 70's and 80's to Switzerland, Germany and Europe.

She was also an avid seamstress and quilter; one of the best. She enjoyed reading, singing and listening to music.

She and her late husband spent many years on a sailboat in Marathon Pine Island and the Keys in Florida, where she would sew and amuse her cats and fish also, while Ron worked in town.

They sailed, on their boat "Yesterday's Dream",  here to New York in 2001 for their granddaughters wedding. After that journey, they decided they were moving back to NY, residing in Troy and Watervliet.

We would like to thank her dear friends, Carol Larkin and Joe and TrudyAnn Robertson for their visits at the manor.  She loved and enjoyed all the time spent with them, they were a blessing.

Thank all the staff at the Van Rensselaer Manor, they are really special people and Shirley loved them. Thank you so much, we appreciate all you do. You are an amazing group who care for your jobs and the residents. 

Survivors include a son, Ronald J. (Kathy) Monroe, Wynantskill; a daughter, Cathy Wilkie, Watervliet; her grandchildren, Darcy (Scott) Rockwell, Jody (Anthony) Childrose, Beth Flexer, Michael (Heather) Flexer, Jay (Lauren) Flexer, Robbie Flexer, Jessica (Mike) Rizzo, Erica (Thomas) Norman, Valerie Wilkie and Jay Wilkie, along with many great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her daughter, Deborah Flexer and her sister, Gertrude Claydon.

Funeral service will be private at the convenience of the family.  

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in memory of Shirley A. Monroe to the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society 3 Oakland Avenue Menands, NY 12204 or Hope 7 Food Pantry 520 Pawling Avenue Troy, NY 12180.   We recommend using the brycefuneralhome.com website to share or send condolences or light a candle.
 

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