Carey Elizabeth Shirk, 64, died in her home on Saturday, March 22, 2008. Survivors include her mother, Mrs. Ambrose Cramer, and her daughter, Libby Glynn. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Wright Shirk III. Carey was an avid Bridge player. In Santa Barbara, California, she met her husband while playing Bridge at the Santa Barbara Bridge Club. When her daughter began college, she moved to Scottsville, Virginia. Here she soon found a wonderful group of friends to play Bridge. She was an amazing cook and is often remembered for the gourmet food that she made for friends, co-workers, and events. Self-taught, her food was amazing and could not be recreated because she had all her recipes in her head and never used a measuring cup. Carey also liked to create dollhouses. She was excellent at crafting the most intricate work. Some she had donated to charities or auctions, others she gave to people she loved. She was a devoted horse woman. She rode horses as soon as she could walk. She showed hunter-jumpers and eventually shared that passion with her daughter. While her daughter was in horse shows across the California coast, Carey fed and took care of the riders. She also enjoyed the Foxfield and Montpelier Races in Virginia. She worked at University of Virginia for the last 10 years, most recently in Student Financial Services. There she touched the lives of many and, of course, fed them as well. Carey was a member of the Saint Anne' s Episcopal Church. She will always be remembered for her smile and willingness to help anyone in need. A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Friday, April 4, 2008, at the University of Virginia Chapel.

This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.