Obituary of Shirley Marie Van Pelt

Shirley Van Pelt (Young), 94, died in her home at Elmcroft Assisted Senior Living in Hillsborough, NC, February 23, 2021.

Shirley was born on November 14, 1926, in Altoona, PA to the late Ralph F. Young, Sr., and Mable (Hicks) Young. After high school, she worked at a Sylvania plant in Pennsylvania during WWII. After the war she traveled to Southern New Jersey for work in the glass manufacturing industry. There she met and married Albert (Bill) Barlam. They settled in Millville, New Jersey and had one daughter, Carol Ann. 

Shirley attended college courses at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. 

She was active in the Lutheran church and the Order of the Eastern Star. She was an avid horsewoman for several years and owned several standard poodles.  

After her divorce to Albert, she married Paul Ayars, of Millville, who died in 1979. She resided in Hollywood, FL for several years before relocating to Chapel Hill, NC in 1991. Her 3rd marriage was to Ken Van Pelt of Chapel Hill, NC who died in 2010. 

She is survived by her daughter, Carol, son-in-law Jack McDonnell; grandsons, Ryan McDonnell and Dylan McDonnell, and his wife, Natalie; great grandson, Noah McDonnell; great granddaughter, Josie McDonnell; and her step-daughter, Kendra Van Pelt. 

In addition to her parents, Shirley was preceded in death by her brothers, Ralph Young, Jr., Howard (Wayne) Young, Richard S. Young and sisters, Isabell and Mary Martha. 

Shirley will be buried in Oakwood Cemetery in Mebane, NC. in a private ceremony. 

In lieu of flowers, please direct donations to a local Parkinson’s organization.

The Van Pelt family is under the care of Walker’s Funeral Home of Chapel Hill.