Shirley Jean Walek

Shirley "Jean" Walek, age 90, of Perry, passed away on Monday October 26, 2026 at her home surrounded by the love of her family.

She was born in Perry, New York on March 1, 1936, a daughter to the late Charles and Ruth (Simens) Schofield.

Jean was a 1953 graduate of Perry Central High School. In high school she was the concert mistress violinist in the school orchestra. During lunch break at school, she would work at the former Lowell's Soda Bar where she met her future husband of 71 years. She worked for former Rochester Telephone office in Perry as a telephone operator (before they went dial) and then in retail for the former Grants, Ben Franklin (where she was the assistant manager), and Peterson Drug all in Perry. She ended her career, working for American Greeting Cards where she would go into retail stores to set up and stock cards. A job fitting for someone who loved to send cards to many for all occasions.

She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Perry where she helped on the monthly newsletter, church dinners and rummage sales. Jean was a former member of the Wyoming County Home Bureau, former Cub Scout Den Mother and former member of many bowling leagues. She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, reading, working in her flower gardens, bowling, traveling with Chet and was a new Buffalo Bills fan who just started to enjoy football when Josh Allen joined the team. Her biggest joy in life was her family, spending as much time with them as she could.

Jean is survived by daughters: Terry (John) Shumway of Myrtle Beach, SC, Diane Walek of Perry, Valerie (Eric) Kelly of Perry, son: Mark (Sandy) Walek of Lewisville, NC, brother: Bill (Irene) Schofield of Perry, sister-in-law: Patricia Schofield of Perry, 7 grandchildren: Kati (Josh) Van Ness, Jessie (Jeff) Smith, Daryl (Elon Craig) Walek, Rene (Chris) Shepard, Richie Cuozzo III, Liam Kelly, Elise (Brody) Wood, 5 great grandchildren: Paityn and Paxton Smith, Zelda and Theodore Shepard, Torry Cuozzo, along with many nieces, nephews and friends.

Along with her parents Jean is preceded in death by her husband: Chester F. Walek who passed away on May 30, 2026, son-in-law: Rodney DeMun, sister and brother-in-law: Betty (Richard) Pedersen, brother: Robert Schofield, mother and father-in-law: Felix and Stella (Cygan) Walek, sister-in-law: Rosalie Walek, brother-in-law: Carl Walek.

Family and friends may call from 2-4 and 6-8pm on Sunday, November 1st at the Eaton-Watson Funeral Home 98 North Main St. in Perry.

Funeral services will be held on Monday November 2nd at 10am at the Eaton-Watson Funeral Home.

Jean will be laid to rest in Glenwood Cemetery in Perry.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church 35 Covington St. Perry, New York 14530 or to the First Congregational Church P.O. Box 156 Perry, NY 14530.