Shirley Joy Vincent Garman

Shirley Joy Vincent Garman, 84, a longtime resident of Brookhaven whose family was her world, died peacefully on August 5th at Riddle Memorial Hospital.

Mrs. Garman looked forward to Sunday dinners, and seeing family gathered around her kitchen table. It was an open invitation, and there was always room for friends. She especially glowed during visits with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A devoted U.S. Marine Corps military wife, she and her husband of 60 years, the late 1st Sgt. Charles W. “Chubby” Garman (Ret. USMC) shared a deep pride in their country and its flag. They relocated every three years throughout his service, residing on bases in Parris Island, S.C., Quantico, Va., and Millington, Tenn., to name a few.

As a member of the military wives’ club, Mrs. Garman was there to console families when personnel arrived at their doors with bad news, or just to be a friend when a spouse was lonely and missing their loved one overseas.

A resident of Chester in earlier years, Mrs. Garman was a proud 1955 graduate of Chester High School. As a member of the reunion committee, she delighted in planning annual gatherings with her fellow Clipper classmates.

Mrs. Garman was employed as an executive secretary at the former Franklin Mint for more than two decades.

A longtime member of the Brookhaven Swim Club, “Mom Mom Shirl” was a founding member of what her grandchildren and their friends kiddingly dubbed “the pool police.”

She and her husband loved to travel and twice drove across the country. She particularly enjoyed vacations with the family in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where she shopped and enjoyed the sights while he hit the links.

Mrs. Garman loved visits to the casino and playing the slots. At home or at the pool, Scrabble was her go-to board game. She also enjoyed time with her Girls Club, taking turns as host, making a homemade dinner and playing a competitive “high stake” card game of Tripoley, for pennies a hand.

Mrs. Garman was a big fan of Eagles football and Phillies baseball, as well as Flyers hockey when they were known as the Broad Street Bullies. Even more so, she loved watching her children and grandchildren play sports and never missed an opportunity to cheer them on.

Mrs. Garman loved Christmas. Like clockwork, on August 1st, family members would receive an email from her asking for their gift wish list. It was always a race among the children who could get their list to Mom Mom first. Another family tradition: Mrs. Garman’s call to sing “Happy Birthday” to her loved ones on their special day.

In addition to her husband, Mrs. Garman was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Anthony “Tony” Manerchia.

She is survived by her children, Shawn Manerchia, Chris (Lisa) Garman, Shannon (Mike) Boyd; grandchildren, Charles & Mandy, Stephen & Megan, Taylor & Pat, Vincent & Mary Kate, Paige & Mike, Connor and Tyler; great-grandchildren, Madelyn Leigh, Charles James, Stephen Dominic Jr., Maverick Anthony and Murphy Joy.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her viewing from 9:30-10:45 a.m., with a service following at 11 a.m., on Friday, August 12th at the Bateman-Allen Funeral Home, 4220 Edgmont Ave., Brookhaven. Burial will be in Chester Rural Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Shirley Garman’s name by clicking the following links, Nemours Childrens Hospital or to CDH International – A global initiative to stop Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia.