Shirley Louise (Yelle) MacPhee, of Mansfield, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on February 5, 2026, surrounded by her family. A lifelong Massachusetts resident, she was a cherished member of the Mansfield community for 65 years.
Born in Norton, Massachusetts, Shirley was the daughter of Leo G. and Ruth M. (Courtney) Yelle. She was a member of the cheer squad and Valedictorian of Norton High School, Class of 1952. Shirley later married the love of her life, Farrand John “Jack” MacPhee, and together they built a life rooted in family, community, and quiet joy until Jack’s passing in 1987.
Shirley dedicated 29 years of municipal service to the Town of Mansfield, working in the Assessor’s Office, where she was respected for her commitment, kindness, and strong work ethic. She was a founding member of the West Side Benevolent Society; an active parishioner at St. Mary’s parish in Norton, a member of the Top of the Hill Gang ski club; a host and member of Operation Friendship (Mansfield chapter); a former Girl Scout and Brownie leader; and a volunteer at the Mansfield Food Pantry.
An outdoorswoman at heart, Shirley loved tending her flower and vegetable gardens as well as enjoying the wildlife that visited Kingman Pond in her backyard. She delighted in cross-country skiing, family beach vacations to Cape Cod and Horseneck Beach, and camping trips with Jack and their children to the MacPhee Islands in Nova Scotia. She especially cherished family gatherings with both her and Jack’s siblings. Shirley stayed active through programs at the Mansfield Council on Aging, was an avid reader, and enjoyed being a member of her book club.
A familiar and beloved presence in Mansfield, Shirley volunteered during elections and delighted in seeing longtime friends and neighbors throughout the town she called home. She was known for her welcoming smile, kind soul, and gentle nature.
Shirley was predeceased by her beloved husband, Farrand John “Jack” MacPhee; her brothers Peter H. Yelle and John F. Yelle; and her brother-in-law William Bishop. She is survived by her siblings: MSgt. Army Leo G. Yelle Jr. and Jean Yelle of Rochester, NH; Cmdr. US Navy A. Courtney Yelle and Eloise Yelle of Cocoa Beach, FL; and Paula R. (Yelle) Bishop of Plainville, MA., Sister-in-Law Theresa Yelle (Peter) of Belmont, NH
She is also survived by her six children: Michael MacPhee and Paul Ouellette of Calais, ME; Ruth (MacPhee) and Allan Frederick of Pinellas Park, FL; Sandy (MacPhee) and Paul LaRosee of Mansfield, MA; James and Susan MacPhee of Norton, MA; Elizabeth (MacPhee) Pasquino of Mansfield, MA; and Paula (MacPhee) and Paul Norton of Westwood, MA. Shirley was a proud grandmother to Paul Frederick, Danielle MacPhee, Valerie (MacPhee) Jeffries, Joseph Pasquino, Nicolas Pasquino, MaryKate (Norton) Currie, Lauren (Norton) Riley, Jack Norton, and Andre Ouellette, and a loving great-grandmother to Ella and Colin Frederick. She is also survived by several generations of nieces and nephews from both the Yelle and MacPhee families.
Visiting hours, to which relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend, will be held on Wednesday, February 11th from 5:00-8:00 P.M. at the Sherman & Jackson Funeral Home, 55 North Main Street, Mansfield.
Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, February 12th at 11:00 A.M. in Saint Mary’s Church, 1 Power Street, Norton. Burial will be held privately, at a later date, at the Spring Brook Cemetery in Mansfield.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Shirley’s memory to the Mansfield Food Pantry, 15 West Street, Mansfield, MA 02048.
To send her family a message of condolence, please visit www.shermanjackson.com