Shirley R. Esaley

Shirley Regina (Storm) Esaley, 91, of Hanover, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 8, 2026 at Tree of Life Memory Care in Hanover.

Born on Monday, May 14, 1934 in Hanover, she was a daughter of the late Robert and Margaret (Hoke) Storm. She was also preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Robert J. Esaley, who died in 2008; and a granddaughter, Erin Walker, who died in 2022. Shirley was a 1952 graduate of the St. Joseph Academy. She dedicated most of her time to raising her children and later retired from driving school buses for the Spring Grove School District. Shirley also drove buses for Vietnamese refugees at Indiantown Gap. Additionally, she always enjoyed helping her husband at Esaley’s Corner Market at the Hanover Market. A member of the Women’s Auxiliary for the Hanover National Guard, she always enjoyed decorating for and celebrating the holidays with her family. She will be remembered for her “gift to gab”, making many friends throughout her lifetime. Shirley cherished the time spent with her group of friends on Friday evenings at the Railside Diner; but moreover, she dearly loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include two sons, Jerry Esaley of Gettysburg, and Robert Esaley and his wife, Tammy, of Spring Grove; seven daughters, Margaret Walker and her husband, Tim, of York, Catherine Thomas and her husband, George, of Thomasville, Becky Saltzgiver and her husband, Dave, of Spring Grove, Stephanie Ruby and her husband, Tom, of York, Tammy Sheffer and her husband, Ron, of Gardners, Tina McFarland and her husband, Tom, of Dover, and Susan Snyder and her husband, Steve, of Spring Grove; a step-brother, James Storm of Florida; 20 grandchildren; and 24 great-grandchildren with another one expected soon.

A private service will be held for the family at Rest Haven Cemetery.