April 20, 2004

Parma Historian Shirley Cox Husted dies April 16; buried in Parma Union Cemetery; author of more than 40 publications; charter member Hilton High School Alumni Hall of Fame 

A horse drawn carriage solemnly drew the casket of one of Parma’s most famous citizens up Parma Center Road, on Tuesday, April 20, 2004, as Shirley Cox Husted was laid to rest amidst a gathering of her family, friends and admirers having died after several years of illness on April 16, 2004.  Husted, 72, born September 17, 1931, was a prolific author penning books and pamphlets on local history, folklore, poetry and cooking.  Among her many contributions to the Town of Parma as historian, Mrs. Husted wrote eight books primarily on Parma history as well as creating a historical map, mugs and decorator plates for the Town of Parma history. She wrote a number of other publications, supervised the development of the town’s museum at 462 Parma Center Road, erected four historical roadside markers, acquired a town emblem, established an official flower, fruit and town colors, designed the town flag, edited the first town newsletter, photographed and collected thousands of historical photographs, collected over a thousand books of historical importance and artifacts valued at over $100,000 and ran festival celebrations and quilt shows. Mrs. Husted also collaborated with county and town planning and zoning boards to preserve information on local buildings and landmarks of historical interest. Her book, Pioneer Days, was published in 1959 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Town of Parma. In addition, she was a reporter for both the Hilton Record and Suburban News.  She served as Monroe County Historian from 1973-88 and Parma Town Historian from 1967 to present.  A lifelong Republican, in 1989 she ran unsuccessfully for Monroe County Clerk. Among her many legacies will be the establishment of the Parma Meetinghouse Museum which is located on Parma Center Road.  She graduated from Hilton High School in 1949 and was honored in 1999 as a Hilton High School 1999 Alumni Hall of Fame Charter Members.  She was the daughter of Ward and Grace Hawes Cox; wife of Richard Husted; mother of Ted, Donald, Christopher, Brian, Brett and Rosemary; and sister of former Hilton Historian Leith Wright. 

Her funeral was held at Burger Funeral Home April 20 in Hilton officiated by Rev. Robert Hathaway, former pastor of the Parma-Greece Christian Church on Latta Rd. from 1947-57.  Rev. Hathaway spoke of Husted’s many talents including organist for the church.  She was a 1953 graduate of Roberts Wesleyan College where she graduated cum laude.  She also attended Colgate-Rochester Divinity School 1953-54.  Among those attending the funeral were Lucien Morin, former Monroe County Executive as well as many families from Parma Center.  Husted’s influence on the Hilton-Parma community was extensive.  She was co-founder of the Parma-Hilton Historical Society and Charter Member and founder of the Caleb Hopkins Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.  Speaking at her funeral along with her sons Ted and Brett and daughter Rosemary, were Rochester Historian Ruth Rosenberg-Naparsteck; Greece Historian and co-author with Husted of Eight Miles Along the Shore, Virginia Tomkiewicz; and Hilton Historian Mary Pickett Townsend.  Memorials for Husted are being accepted by: Friends of the Parma Meetinghouse Museum, PO Box 180, Fairport NY 14450, in her name to support the Parma Meetinghouse Museum. 

PHOTO  A Horse-Drawn Carriage proceeds up Parma Center Rd to Parma Union Cemetery with the casket bearing Parma Historian and lifetime resident Shirley Cox Husted who died April 16, 2004.