Shirley B. Gessner

Shirley B. Gessner passed away in Somerset, NJ on September 20, 2024, at the age of 58. 

Born July 12, 1966 in Red Bank NJ, Shirley was the daughter of the late James T. Hilken and Eleanor (Toth) Hilken. She grew up on Frog Hollow Farm in Flemington NJ and later resided in Branchburg nearly all her life.

Shirley graduated from North Hunterdon High School and started her educational journey at Seton Hall University and continued at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, where she earned an Associates Degree in Fashion Buying and Merchandising. She began her work in retail, where she was working at Talbots when she answered a personal ad from bachelor James A. Gessner. They met at the Bridgewater Commons Mall on April 30,1990, and her unique flair for fashion caught his eye. He proposed to her on the same spot on Valentines Day, and they married on August 7, 1993.

Over the next few years together, Shirley and Jim welcomed and nurtured a beautiful family, which includes their beloved daughters, Jennifer and Hannah. Shirley enjoyed family time and especially delighted in baking during the holidays. Her delectable chocolate chip cookie bars gave off a sense of comfort and warmth, much like her presence among loved ones. She decorated for the seasons, turning each holiday into an event, with Christmas being particularly dear to her heart. She loved Christmas movies, and gathering family and friends to share in the laughter and magic that defined the season.

A lover of the beach, Shirley found her bliss at Long Beach Island, where she embraced the sun and the sea. Her creative pursuits extended beyond baking; she enjoyed custom card making and crafting alongside her daughters, Jennifer and Hannah, creating loving memories that they will carry forever. Additionally, she had a deep appreciation for classic rock music, often accompanying the soulful chords of Bruce Springsteen with her spirited voice.

She continued her retail work career at Lands' End and Home Goods, among others, and for several years worked at Somerset County Library. When she wasn't at work, she enjoyed quiet evenings reading mystery novels or flipped through her favorite magazines. Her laughter, creativity, and warmth surrounded all who knew her, leaving a long lasting impression on everyone’s hearts.

Shirley was predeceased by her beloved parents and her sister, Elizabeth Anne Hilken-Bernhard, who preceded her in 2023. She shared more than three decades of love and partnership with her husband, James A. Gessner, in Branchburg, NJ. She is survived by her daughters Jennifer and Hannah and also surviving are her sister and brother-in-law, Anne and Dean Ingram III of Flemington, NJ, and her brother and sister-in-law, James and Mary-Kay Hilken of Colorado Springs, CO, and her nephew, Dean Ingram IV, and her sister-in-law, Kathryn Gessner Calkins, and nephew, Sterling Lippman.

A Memorial Service will be held at 6:00 pm on Friday, September 27, 2024 at Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington NJ 08822. Interment will be private. Visitation will be Friday from 4:00 PM until the time of service at the funeral home.  

The service will be livestreamed in the video player below or by clicking here. Please note that if for any reason, your broadcast link gets broken, go back to link in email and start over.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Shirley's name may be made to North Branch Reformed Church, 203 Easton Turnpike, Bridgewater, NJ 08807. 

 For further information or to leave an online condolence, please visit www.holcombefisher.com.