MOHAWK - Shirley A. (Hilts) Gay, age 75, of Mohawk, passed away peacefully, on Saturday, February 18, 2012, at the Folts Home in Herkimer. She was born on November 9, 1936, in Herkimer, the daughter of Elwood and Ann (Wardinski) Hilts, and graduated from Mohawk High School. Shirley was married to Gerald "Jerry" Gay on November 24, 1956, in Herkimer. He died on January 4, 1998. At one time, she worked in the claims dept. at Blue Cross-Blue Shield in Utica, and as a cashier in the cafeteria at Herkimer Co. Community College. Shirley was a member of the Ilion Chapter Women of the Moose. She is survived by her four children, Debbie (Holden) Call, of Mohawk, Chris Gay and his wife, Jennifer, of Attleboro, MA, David Gay, and Gerald Gay, Sr. and his wife, Carol, of Mohawk; six grandchildren, Candace Gage and husband, Charles, Justin Holden, Kirsten, Joshua, Jerry and Bradley Gay; six great-grandchildren, Andrew, Mason, Lium and Briar Holden, and Kyleigh and Kadence Gage; three sisters and one brother-in-law, Marilyn Murphy, of North Carolina, Beverly Fike, of Ilion, and Carlotta Fuller and her husband, Ervin "Cap", of Herkimer; seven brothers and sisters-in-law, Elwood and Neva Hilts, of North Carolina, Bobby and Juanita Hilts, of Arkansas, Billy and Kathy Hilts, of Mohawk, Donnie and Michelle Hilts, of Florida, Jack and Robin Hilts and Chuck and Ann Hilts, all of Richfield Springs, and Richard and Ruth Hilts, of Bridgewater; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her husband; her parents; her daughter, Cindy Lou; her son, James Gay; and her brother, Ronald Hilts. Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, February 22, 2012, at the Applegate-Day & Enea Family Funeral Home, 4309 Acme Rd., Ilion, with Rev. Victor McKusick, Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Ilion, officiating. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery, Herkimer. Calling hours will be held Tuesday, February 21, 2012, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home prior to the service. The Ilion Women of the Moose service will be held Tuesday, February 21, 2012, at 5:30 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, as an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Hospital for Children, 516 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104-2396. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Shirley's family has entrusted all service arrangements and supervision to their family Funeral Director, Don Applegate.