Obituary: Shirley Thompson Glanz, formally of Southampton, Dies at 90

Info via DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home

Shirley Elizabeth Thompson Glanz, a former long time resident of Southampton, died in her home at Peconic Landing in Greenport on Saturday, May 30. She was 90.

Shirley was born on December 26, 1924 in Bridgeport, Connecticut to Dorothy Elizabeth Merkwacz and Paul William Thompson.

She is a descendant of Anthony Thompson, one of the original founders of the 1638 New Haven colony in Connecticut.

As a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution she was also a sixth generation descendant of Thaddeus Thompson, a drummer boy and soldier in the Revolutionary war who wintered at Valley Forge and was wounded at the Battle of Yorktown.

Shirley met her future husband Edward Coleman Glanz in first grade at Norwalk, Connecticut, who became an Army Air Corp Second Lieutenant and later became the first president of Southampton College of Long Island University.

The two were married in Georgia on August 3, 1944 while she was attending nursing school in Connecticut.

Their sons Erich Coleman Glanz and Gary Tristan Glanz were born when the couple lived in Hamden Connecticut.

The family later moved to Sharon, Massachusetts before moving to Southampton in 1963, where Shirley helped her husband create Southampton College.

In Southampton Shirley was active in the First Presbyterian Church and a member of the local DAR chapter.

During the 1970’s and 1980’s Shirley’s five grandchildren were born; Andrew Coleman Glanz, Tristan Anthony Glanz, Devin Anthony Glanz, Emilie Estelle Glanz Nobles and Julia Ann Glanz.

In 1986, Edward passed away at the age of 61.

In 2002, Shirley moved to Peconic Landing in Greenport.

She became involved as a “Peconic Landing Pioneer” and an ambassador for Peconic Landing.

She enjoyed playing bridge, attending operas and having dinner with friends as well as the many family gatherings at Peconic Landing that she lovingly referred to as “ExtravaGlanzas.”

Shirley’s seven great-grandchildren were born during her years at Peconic Landing; Anthony Douglas Glanz, Bailey Elizabeth Nobles, Dylan Edward Glanz, Margaret Elizabeth Glanz, Natalie Susan Glanz, Trevor Tristan Glanz and Edward Coleman Glanz II.

She is survived by her brother George Thompson of Fayetteville, Ohio; two sons, Erich Coleman Glanz and wife Barbara of Bayport, NY, and Gary Tristan Glanz and wife Diane of Southampton, NY; five grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

Memorial donations in her memory may be made to the Peconic Landing Employee Appreciation Fund in Greenport.

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