Shirley L. Murray

Shirley Lorraine (Smith) Murray, 90, of Winchendon, passed from this life on Sunday, May 4, 2025, in the presence of those who cared for her at Baldwinville Nursing Home.

Born in Gardner on January 28, 1935, she was the daughter of the late Arthur and Edna (Desbois) Smith. Shirley graduated from Templeton High School, enjoying her years as a member of the class of 1953. She was captain of the basketball team, editor of the school newspaper and a member of many school organizations, ranging from the National Honor Society to the Latin and Glee Clubs. After her post high school years working at Temple-Stuart, Shirley worked in a variety of part-time jobs while raising her family. For her entire adult life, Shirley loved teaching children and young people; she finally was able to pursue her vocation as a teacher’s aide and volunteer in many classrooms in her later years.

Shirley was active in all the parish communities she called home over the years, beginning in her childhood at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Burlington, VT and continuing through her young adult years at St. Martin’s in Otter River, her many years at the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Winchendon and finally her current parish, St. Vincent de Paul Church in Baldwinville. Shirley shared her lifelong love of books and reading with her children, grandchildren and students. She enjoyed participating in many sports, games, and outdoor activities and attending sporting events, plays and concerts with her family and friends. She was a fan of the Boston Celtics, Boston Braves, and the Boston Red Sox from the 1940s to the present day. Shirley appreciated her occasional travels outside New England but felt most at home on the coast of Maine, whether camping with her children, sharing 17 summers watching and helping her grandchildren learn, play, and grow at Sea-Vu in Wells and, in her later years, enjoying her time at Eastland in Lubec and at Cottage in the Lane in Wells.

Shirley is survived by three children; Lynn, with whom she shared a home for many years, Maureen and her husband Kris Provost, and John; granddaughter, Caela and her husband Caleb Hall; grandsons, Cameron, Marcus, and Aidan; her sister, Sally; several nieces, nephews and cousins and a multitude of loving friends and neighbors from many generations.

In addition to her parents, Shirley is predeceased by her sister, Janice and husband Bertrand, brother-in-law William, former husband, John, and sisters-in-law, Elizabeth and Jean.

Shirley and her family are thankful to the staff at Baldwinville Nursing Home for making these last months so nice for her. Shirley loved her time with you.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday, May 24, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. in St. Vincent de Paul, 18 Pleasant Street, Baldwinville, MA. Burial will follow at Greenlawn Cemetery, Bridge Street, Baldwinville, MA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Vincent de Paul Parish, 18 Pleasant Street, PO Box 14, Baldwinville, MA 01436, or to the Alliance Health at Baldwinville, Resident Activity Fund, 51 Hospital Road, Baldwinville, MA 01436, or to the Beals Memorial Library, 50 Pleasant Street, Winchendon, MA 01475. Please reference in memory of Shirley L. Murray.