Paula Jean Shirk

Paula Jean (McCoy) Shirk, 82, of Narvon, died September 11, 2026, at Zerbe Sisters Retirement Community. She was predeceased by her husband Robert Shirk in 2017 and with whom she shared 52 years of marriage and by their beloved dog Bud, her constant companion and protector after Robert’s death.

Paula graduated from Millersville University in 1966 with an Elementary Teaching Degree

She taught early Elementary grades in the Eastern Lancaster County School District from 1966 – 2004.

She was the oldest of 6 children born to Paul and Martha (Warren) McCoy. She was predeceased by 3 siblings, Michael McCoy, Martha Gordon (wife of Chet Gordon), and Mary Trout (wife of Ira Trout). She is survived by her sister Jackie Troop (wife of the late Gerald Troop) and by her brother and his wife, Alvin and Bonnie McCoy.

She and Robert have 3 daughters, Beth, wife of Eric Zipf (New Hollan), Patti, wife of Robert Loughery (Birdsboro), and Kristen, wife of Michael Groff (Narvon). There are also 4 grandchildren: Thomas Loughery, husband of Andrea Garcia Borjas, Kelly Loughery, wife of Joseph Thompson, Paula Groff, wife of Thomas Johnson, and Joshua Groff.

Paula enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. She and Bob hosted the Shirktown Thresher’s Reunion for many years at the family farm in Narvon. Family history and heritage were always an interest to them both. They enjoyed going to many different tractor and engine shows, volunteered at Hay Creek Valley Festivals, and enjoyed collecting many historical farm items and antiques.

Paula was active member of Churchtown United Methodist for many years. She taught Sunday school, VBS, sang in the choir, and assisted in church services, and as a lay leader visiting and delivering communion to church members who could no longer attend weekly services. She also taught VBS with Child Evangelism Fellowship for several summers in the Reading Area. She enjoyed volunteering at the Re-Uzit Shop in Morgantown with her sister Jackie, sewing and piecing quilts for the church, reading her Bible and many other books, doing puzzles, singing and listening to hymns and was always writing. She would write little poems and stories. She enjoyed writing scavenger hunt clues for her grandchildren at the holidays and often wrote little notes and poems for them in every birthday or holiday card she gave to them. She kept many notebooks of photographs, messages, obituaries, and notes of family, friends, and neighbors.

Services will be held on Friday, September 18, 2026, at 10 AM at Churchtown United Methodist Church with Pastor Lisa Kurtz and Pastor David Kling officiating. Interment will follow in the United Methodist Cemetery of Churchtown. A viewing will be held at the church on Friday from 9 to 10 AM. The Groff-High Funeral Home, New Holland, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences and remembrances may be posted at www.groffeckenroth.com.