Shirley Ann Cranston

Shirley Ann Cranston, 54, of Fayetteville passed away on March 19, 2013, following a courageous 21-month battle with cancer. She was born Jan. 18, 1959, in Evanston, Ill., daughter of Felix Hostnick and Nancy Paxton. Shirley worked 23 years as a bank teller for Bank of Fayetteville. She loved the caring and training of horses and dogs. Her love of animals also included many rescues. Shirley's passion for animal rescue was widely known. Oaklawn Park wrote an article on her saving an orphaned foal which later won three races. Shirley was very creative in her hobbies of needlepoint, photography, gardening and continuous home improvements. She loved the competition of dog agility training. Her border collie, Lacy, was showing early promise when the cancer was diagnosed. Over 20 race horses were retired and retrained for adoption under her watchful eye. Absolutely no abuse was allowed in her training regimen. Trainers from Oaklawn Park sent many expensive thoroughbreds for turn-out and rehab knowing of her care. Many an afternoon found Shirley working with young horses, without use of halter on lead. Her kindness and bright smile will be missed. She will be remembered for facing death with courage, never once complaining but fighting to the end. Shirley Ann will be forever remembered by her surviving husband, Mel Cranston of Fayetteville; his children, Erin Layne and family of Broken Arrow, Okla., Jacob Cranston and family of Fayetteville. She was preceded in death by her brother, Stephen Hostnick. Other surviving family include mother, Nancy Paxton; step-father, Del Paxton; brother, Scott Hostnick; nephew, Tim Hostnick, all of Springhill, Fla.; sister, Suzanne and husband, Steven Henault of Middleboro, Mass.; nieces, Jessica Hostnick of Medway, Mass.; and Jenifer Hostnick of Newton, N.H. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 2, 2013, at Beard's Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Gary Lunsford officiating. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.beardsfuneralchapel.com.