Joyce “Shirley” Hauser
Dan McClelland
On December 27, 2016 Joyce "Shirley"Hauser passed, leaving us to join her late husband Walter "Bud" Hauser, the love of her life.
She departed peacefully, in her home, with her beloved daughter Charlene and special niece Lisa by her side.
Shirley was born in Tupper Lake on August 6, 1928 to Adolphus and Josephine King Varden, and lived here her entire life. She attended school in Tupper Lake, skipping a grade and often not having to take final exams. She aspired to be a school teacher but had to leave school and join the work force at age 15 after her father passed away.
Shirley worked at many of the old hotels in town as a waitress, as a floor supervisor at the dress factory, and as a cafeteria aide at school. It was a delight to her in the years following when she would encounter past students who would refer to her as the "favorite lunch lady". Most important to her were the roles of homemaker, wife, and mother...and she was the best!
Shirley met Bud while working at the OWD after WWII and they were married on May 17, 1947. They were blessed to have over 66 years of a truly loving marriage prior to his passing on February 14, 2014. They went on many memorable vacations and, after Bud retired, enjoyed winters at their home in Florida.
Along with Charlene and Lisa she is also survived by her brother Roger and his wife Vickie, her brother Clifford, and many nieces and nephews, all dearly loved. She was predeceased by her siblings Irvin, Kenny, Ruth, Jerry, Wanda, and Bob.
Shirley wished to be cremated with no viewing or services at this time. Her ashes will be buried with her husband Bud in Holy Name Cemetery, following a memorial mass the weekend of August 6, 2017. A notice will be posted in the Free Press with details at a later date. If you would like, donations in her name to the Tupper Lake Rescue Squad would be much appreciated.