MINERAL RIDGE - Shirley R. Brzezinski, 71, formerly of Cortland, passed away peacefully 8:20 p.m. Monday, Jan. 11, 2010, at Cleveland Clinic with Bill and Connie at her side.

Shirley was born Dec. 10, 1938, in Warren, a daughter of John and Caroline Balasko Matock Sr. She graduated from Warren G. Harding High School in 1956. Shirley had worked at Denman Tire Co., but most of her life she was a homemaker. Shirley was a member of Believers' Christian Fellowship and was a 50-year member of the Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 66. She enjoyed gaming, shopping and conversing with friends.

Shirley's husband, William W. Brzezinski, whom she married Feb. 13, 1960, passed away Nov. 1, 1993. Shirley leaves her son and caregiver William J. Brzezinski of Cortland and his friend, Connie Hinton, who was also caregiver to Shirley. Shirley also leaves her daughter, Dori (Robert) Talstein of Warren, her special friend George Adamovich of Vienna, and three grandchildren, Todd, Zachary and Katie Talstein.

In addition to her husband and parents, Shirley was preceded in death by a brother, John Matock Jr. and a sister, Mary Matock.

Calling hours will be 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday and 10 to 11 a.m. Friday at Sinchak & Sons Funeral Home. The funeral service will be 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be at All Souls Cemetery. Material tributes may be made to Believers' Christian Fellowship.

Arrangements were entrusted to Sinchak & Sons Funeral Home.