Shirley Slye's Obituary
Shirley Slye, 85, of Willimantic, CT, entered into eternal life on Tuesday, November 23, 2010 at St. Joseph Living Center, Windham, CT. She was born January 26, 1925 in Stafford Springs, CT, daughter of the late Herbert and Alice (Wilbur) Slye. She was predeceased by her beloved sister and dearest friend, Elizabeth Palmer of Willimantic, CT; two brothers, Wilbur Syle of Springfield, MA, and Richard Slye and his wife Betty of Stafford Springs, CT; and a nephew, Norman Palmer of Portland, OR. She is survived by three special nieces, Margaret Colavecchio of Canton, CT, Donna Palmer of Manchester, CT, and Linda LaBell of Jacksonville, FL; two nephews, Lawrence Palmer of San Diego, CA, and Roger Slye of Enfield, CT; grandnieces, Karen Bisset, Tina Folsom, and Gina Lindsley; grandnephews, Daniel Colavecchio, and Donald, Greg, Jonathan, and David Palmer; and several great grandnieces and nephews. Shirley grew up on Rockwell Hill in Stafford Springs and graduated in 1942 from Stafford High School. She worked for The Stafford Press. In 1951, she began her career working for the University of Connecticut becoming a Career Counselor and Administrator of Career Services. She retired in 1989. While working there, she began taking evening courses and graduated from the University of Connecticut in 1961 Phi Betta Kappa with honors. Shirley is a member of the Audubon Society, Nature Conservancy, Loon Preservation Association, and UConn Alumni and Child Fund International. In 1972, she moved to Willimantic and became a member of the Willimantic Camp Meeting Association, where she served as President, Vice President, Secretary, and served for several years on the Executive Board. There she found happiness tending her gardens and developing a remarkable family of kindred souls. She has been a member for 67 years of the First United Methodist Church in Stafford Springs, serving as Youth Adviser and Bible Study teacher. She was a licensed Lay Preacher in the United Methodist Church. She served as Interim Preacher at the Stafford Hollow Baptist Church, Staffordville Congregational Church, and the Federated Church in Willington. Shirley always had a twinkle in her eye and a keen sense of humor. She loved gardening, flowers, lobster, opera, hymns, good books, cats, and was an ardet fan of UConn women’s basketball. She was a loving, compassionate Aunt, mentor, and friend. A true disciple of the Lord! A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 4, 2010 at 1 P.M. at the First United Methodist Church, 8 Church St., Stafford Springs, CT. Burial in Granby Cemetery, Granby, CT, will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Shirley’s name may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 8 Church St., Stafford Springs, CT 06076, the Willimantic Camp Meeting Association (WCMA), 453 Windham Rd., Willimantic, CT 06226, or to St. Joseph Living Center, 14 Club Rd., Windham, CT 06280. Introvigne Funeral Home, Inc., 51 East Main St., Stafford Springs, CT, has care of the arrangements. For online condolences, please visit: www.introvignefuneralhome.com
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