Service measured not by GOLD,
                           but by the GOLDEN RULE

Service measured not by GOLD,
          but by the GOLDEN RULE

330.262.7771

WOOSTER – Shirley Ann Topovski, 83, of Wooster passed away on Tuesday, January 19, 2021 at Wooster Community Hospital.
She was born April 23, 1937 in Wooster the daughter of Jacob and Bertha Ickes Elser.
Shirley had been a teacher at Chester Elementary School and was a member of the Church of God Worldwide Association. She was a member of the Unity Singers, an active member of the Northwestern Ruritan’s and People to People Student Ambassador Program.
After she retired from teaching in the Northwestern School District, she continued to educate adults through the ABLE program at The Ashland County-West Holmes Career Center, helping adults obtain their GED.   Over the past several decades, she gave hundreds of students private piano lessons, performed at numerous weddings and was active in accompanying in her church choir and special music.   She also loved writing poetry for friends and family.   Shirley was also a strong crusader for nature and the environment.   Nanny you will be missed.
Shirley is survived by her children Mark Topovski, Gregg Topovski and Neil (Dawn) Topovski all of Wooster and Brian (Heather) Topovski of Creston; 9 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren; siblings Vicki Ickes and Randy Elser both of Wooster and Chris Kovatch of North Canton.
She was preceded in death by her husband Steve Topovski who she married February 26, 1957, her parents and siblings Connie Tooley Bauer and Lowell Elser.
There will be no calling hours or services.
Mcintire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster is assisting the family.
Those who wish may make memorial contributions to Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare, 1900 Akron Rd., Wooster, OH 44691 or to the Northwestern High School Music Dept., 7473 N. Elyria Road, West Salem,OH 44287.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamslsleek.com.

Memorial Contributions
Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare, 1900 Akron Rd., Wooster, OH 44691 or to Northwestern High School Music Dept., 7473 N. Elyria Road, West Salem, OH 44287

Service
No services

Visitation
No calling hours

14 Comments

  1. My deepest sympathy to all the family. Mrs. Topovski was my 1st grade teacher at Chester, she taught me how to play the organ, and was a dear neighbor nearly all my life. What a wonderful, sweet, and compassionate lady she was. I still remember her perfume. Thank you for sharing your loved one with me! Prayers of peace and comfort.

    Reply
  2. So sorry to hear of Shirley’s passing. I worked with her many years at Chester E.S. She will certainly be missed.

    Reply
  3. MY VERY VERY DEEPEST Condolences and LOVE to ALL the great family!
    I had Shirley for 3rd grade teacher at Chester School (Northwestern); and knew her before. Her GREAT sister
    was in my class. We are all the GREAT class of “71, as Vicki knows. Shirley was like her great Mom’s personality:
    ALWAYS GIVING!! ALWAYS CARING! ALWAYS POSITIVE! It wore off on her students, also!
    Shirley was always a very a VERY POSITIVE UPBEAT LADY, and that is rare today!

    MY LOVE to ALL THE GREAT FAMILY!

    JIM APPLEMAN

    PLEASE:
    Read Ecclesiastics 3:10 (especially 1-3!)

    Reply
  4. Very sorry to hear this. Enjoy working with Shirley at Chester Elementary for almost 20 years.

    Reply
  5. Seems like I always knew Shirley. We became great friends when I began teaching at Chester Elementary. She was a great mentor for me. I admired so many things she did as a dedicated and caring teacher. Later we shared many good times in Unity Singers and Chester Belles in retirement. I’ll always remember that great smile and sweet giggle. I will be praying for all of you and extend my sincere sympathy and love.

    Reply
  6. So sorry to learn of Shirley’s passing. Her musical talent was always such an important part of Northwestern’s activities. I have so many good memories of you boys and her. She will be missed

    Reply
  7. My deepest condolences to the family. I have many great memories through our the years.

    Reply
  8. My deep condolences to the family. I have many great memories from throughout the years.

    Reply
  9. Dear Vicki and children, I send my sincere sympathy on the loss of your sister (aunt). The last few years have not been easy for her. We share many memories of her at Chester and in the Ruritan musicals.

    Reply
  10. Gregg and Mark, I just learned that your mother passed away. I’m sorry for you loss and please know that she was a very special person.

    Reply
  11. I’m very sorry to hear of your mother’s passing.I knew Shirley very well she was very understanding and helped me out during rough times I had in the passed at GED class.I really enjoyed having your mom as my teacher and tried looking her up to thank her for all those years but couldn’t find her on the internet.I know how u guys feel because my mom was 83 when she died and She passed August 19,2020.So u have my condolences.

    Reply
  12. I would like to say your mom was the best teacher I got to know that helped me out when I struggled in class at GED in millersburg.I know you guys feel with the passing of your mom because my mo. Was the same age and passed August 19th 2020 and she was also 83.I tried to find your mom in Wooster for several years to thank her but couldn’t find her.But she is now rejoicing with the in Heaven with my mom.

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Lesa Bower Forbes Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.