NEW BEDFORD — Shirley (Burbank) Shepley, 82, of New Bedford, passed away on Wednesday, July 6, 2011, at St. Luke's Hospital. She was the widow of Enoch "Shep" Shepley who passed away in 2009; and the daughter of the late Eric and Helen (Gidley) Burbank.
Born in New Bedford, she was a lifelong resident of this area and was a longtime member of the Pilgrim United Church of Christ where she was active in the Women's Club.
Shirley loved to work on crossword puzzles and play Bingo. In past years she was employed as a Hairdresser until she retired.
Survivors include 3 daughters, Elyse Perry of Dartmouth, Cynthia Souza and her husband, Mark of Freetown and Carolyn Shepley Chiarello and her husband, William of Somerville; a son, Thomas Shepley and his wife, Jacqueline of Dartmouth; a sister, Frances Nesmieth of Harwich; 2 brothers, Richard Burbank of New Bedford and Robert Burbank of Mattapoisett; 5 grandchildren, Christopher and Katie Souza, William Chiarello, Zachery and Lily Shepley; 2 great-grandchildren, Erin and Jacob Perry.
She was the mother of the late Robert E. Shepley.
Her calling hours will be on Sunday, July 10, 2011, from 2 - 5 pm at the Wilson Chapel, 479 County St., New Bedford. Services will be at the funeral home on Monday at 11:00 am followed by burial in the Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne, Ma.
Remembrances may be made to the Activities Fund of Taber Nursing Home, 19 Taber St., New Bedford, Ma. 02740.