Shirley Ann Babilya

Shirley Babilya, age 85, of Brownsville, PA, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 3, 2025.

A woman of strong faith, Shirley was a lifelong member of St. Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church in Brownsville, PA.  She will be remembered for her unwavering strength, dedication to family and spirit of kindness.  She graduated as Salutatorian from East Beth School, where she excelled academically and established a lifelong love of learning.

Shirley and her husband Onufry were the proud owners of Babilya’s Candy and Cake Shop in Brownsville, where she delighted the community with homemade goods and shared her candy – making expertise through classes she taught in the 1980s.  Her entrepreneurial spirit and generosity of heart left a lasting mark on the town.  In addition to her business, Shirley worked as a secretary at California University of Pennsylvania until her retirement in 2003, contributing to the success of countless students during her years of service.  Shirley also volunteered her time and talents as a pirohi pincher with “The Pirohi Ladies” at St. Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church in Brownsville.

Shirley is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 65 years, Onufry Babilya, Jr., as well as her parents Bert and Helen Bado and her in-laws Onufrij and Mary Babilya.

She is survived by her grateful daughters, Dr. Shirley Babilya, Maria Babilya and Brandon Badeaux, Rebecca Babilya;

treasured grandchildren, Donald Hilenbrant, Dr. Emma and Dustin Schimansky, and most recently baby great-granddaughter Melina Rebecca Schimansky, and many nieces and nephews.

Her legacy of love, faith and family will continue to inspire and guide her loved ones for generations to come.

Friends and family will be received in the Skirpan Funeral Home, 135 Park St., Brownsville, PA on Friday , June 6 from 2 – 4 and 5 – 7 PM and Saturday until 9:30 Am when a panachida service will  be held, followed by Divine Liturgy at 10:00 Am in St. Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church, Brownsville with the Rev. Fr. James Ragan as celebrant.  Interment at Mount Macrina Cemetery.  A parastas service will be held on Friday at 6:30 PM in the funeral home.