Shirley West Ibach

Shirley M. West Ibach “beloved wife, mother, and daughter”

HEREFORD, Texas---Shirley M. West Ibach, 36, of Hereford, formerly of Brocton, NY, passed away unexpectedly in University Medical Center, Lubbock, on Friday, June 11, 2021.
Born March 29, 1985, in Dunkirk, NY, she was the daughter of Shane L. and Janice M. Priday West. On September 19, 2008, in Mayville, NY on the Chautauqua Belle, she married Joshua M. Ibach, who survives.
Shirley was a graduate of Brocton High School in Brocton, N.Y. and graduated from Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH with a Bachelor’s Degree in English. She later earned her Master’s Degree in English from SUNY Fredonia.
Shirley wrote as a reporter for the Dunkirk Observer and for Chautauqua Star. She was also employed in the Headstart Program in Chautauqua County, NY. After moving to Texas with her family, Shirley was employed as an associate professor in the English Department of West Texas A&M University in Canyon, TX.
Shirley was a member of the Portland Congregational Church in Portland, NY. She loved to read and to write stories, scripts and poetry. She also enjoyed video games. Shirley had a deep love and passion for her family, her pets and in raising her son, Xander.
Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Joshua M. and their son, Xander S. Ibach, at home; her parents, Shane and Janice West of Portland, N.Y; a brother, Adam L. West also of Portland, NY; her paternal grandmother, Roberta West of Millport, PA.; hr maternal grandmother, Corrinne Priday of Wellsville, NY; six aunts: Brenda West, Victoria West, Kathy Osgood, Karen Hoffmann, Nancy Priday, and Mary Beland; an uncle, Arnold West; her mother-in-law, Linda Riley of Dunkirk, NY; her father-in-law, Daniel Ibach also of Dunkirk, N.Y.; and several cousins.
Shirley was predeceased by her paternal grandfather, Loyd West; and her maternal grandfather, Richard Priday.
Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial service for Shirley on Wednesday, June 16, 2021, at 6 PM at Portland Congregational Church, 8649 Church St, Portland, NY with the Rev. R. Gordon Spiller, officiating.
Family and friends are also invited to attend funeral services on Friday, June 18, 2021, at 1 PM at the Millport United Methodist Church, Millport, Pa., with the Rev. R. Gordon Spiller, officiating. Burial will be in the Pauline M. West Cemetery, Millport, PA.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to www.gofundme.com/f/emergency-medical-expenses-for-shirley-bach
Shirley’s family has entrusted her care to Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse, PA.
To express condolences or share a fond memory of Shirley, please visit www.virgillhowardfuneralhome.com or the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home Facebook page.