Florence Shabus

Florence Irene Shabus, of Greene passed away peacefully, on February 26, 2017 at the New York State Veterans' Home in Oxford, New York.

Born on July 13, 1917 in New York City, Florence was the daughter of Bernard and Lottie (Grasberg) Ginsburg. Following her graduation from Owego Free Academy, she attended Cortland Normal School and Columbia University.

Florence married Julius Shabus in Binghamton, New York on October 6, 1946. They were happily married until Julius’ death on April 5, 1982.

She was the quintessential educator, beginning her teaching career in 1936 in a one-room school house in Tioga Center, New York. After raising her two children, Florence resumed her career in the Greene Central School District, teaching remedial reading until her retirement in 1974. Former students regularly reminisce about her impact on their education. Florence was a Greene School Board Member for 12 years, seven years as President. She was also a Member and Treasurer of the Chenango County School Boards Association, a Member of the Chenango County Retired Teachers Association, and a Chenango Memorial Hospital Board Member.

Florence was an avid bridge player and knitter, a member of the Greene Current Topics Club, and one of the founders of the Greene Women’s Investment Club. She was honored as Woman of the Year by the Greene Business and Professional Women’s Club.

Florence was a life-long member of Temple Concord in Binghamton, NY.

She was a devoted wife, and beloved mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.

Florence was predeceased by her son, Barry Shabus in 1978. She is survived by her daughter, Susan Shabus Fertig (James) of Norwich; daughter-in-law Karen Rozen (Wayne) of Binghamton; grandchildren, Rebecca Shabus Fertig Cohen (Matthew) of Washington, D.C., Benjamin Shabus Fertig of Santa Monica, CA, and Lena Shabus Geandreau (Matthew) of Saratoga Springs; great grandchildren, Sydney Fertig Cohen, Jake Fertig Cohen, and Bari Geandreau.

Services will be held at the Norwich Jewish Center 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 2, 2017. Interment will follow in Johnson City at West Lawn Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the Fertig home on Thursday from 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Florence’s memory to The Barry M. Shabus Memorial Scholarship, Greene Central School, 40 S. Canal St., Greene, NY 13778; the Chenango Valley Home, 24 Canasawacta St., Norwich, NY 13815; the Norwich Jewish Center, 72 S. Broad St., Norwich, NY 13815; or ORT of America, 75 Maiden Lane, 10th Fl., NY, NY 10038.