Obituary of Shirley D. Frankum

It is with great sadness that we announce that Shirley Delp Frankum, 92, passed away peacefully at home on June 23, 2025,after a long and fulfilling life.

Shirley was born in Gate City, VA on March 4rd 1933, and spent her youth in the south.  After earning her degree from the Cincinnati Conservatory or Music, her desire to pursue a career as a classical singer led her to New York City where she met Robert “Bob” Lynwood Frankum who became her loving husband for 62 wonderful years.

In 1963, Shirley was awarded a The German Academic Exchange Service Fellowship and she and Bob moved toGermany for 3 years while Shirley performed [through out Europe].  Upon deciding to start a family, they returned to the U.S. and moved to Long Island.  In the years shortly thereafter their son, Adrian, and daughter, Cecily, were born.

Though Shirley spent most of her life in the north, she never lost her southern charm.  She welcomed people into her life with herbig, shining smile and easily made friends.  She was a gracious host, a caring friend, a loving wife and a devoted mother.

As an active community member, Shirley left this world a better place.  She was a music teacher for the Huntington School District and a private music teacher in her home.  She sang in the choir for Christ Church in Oyster Bay for over 20 years, led its junior choir and was a member of the vestry.

In addition to music and the arts, Shirley loved travel and she and Bob spent many vacations exchanging houses around the world and building lifetime friendships with the people they met there.  She was a lover of animals and became an avid ballroom dancer late in life.

Shirley’s life was not without challenges.  She twice survived cancer and was a victim of Parkinson’s disease.  

She is survived by her husband: Bob Frankum, her children: Adrian (Maria Tiu) and Cecily Frankum, her nieces: Judy Bohannon and Sharon White (James), as well as many loving relatives and friends.

A memorial service will be held at Christ Church in Oyster Bay, NY at 11:00 AM on July 12th with light fare following.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made toParkinson’s Foundation at:

Homepage | Parkinson's Foundation.