Shirley – “100 Years Loved”
Surrounded by over 80 of her closest family and friends, in a photograph that spanned generations, sat Shirley centered at a celebration marking her as the guest of honor to something she explains to us is like nothing she’s ever experienced before.
“I laughed, I cried, I cried, I laughed.” She said.
With five children, 10 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, 26 nieces, and seven nephews, it is immediately clear that family is the heart of Shirley’s legacy.
Born in Everett, Massachusetts in spring of 1926, Shirley is the last surviving sibling of nine children raised with deep family roots and strong values dating back to the Mayflower. Over the course of a century, she has experienced hardship, loss, love, and resilience — all while remaining deeply connected to the people around her.
Married three times, Shirley’s advice to younger generations is simple: “Don’t rush.”
After 23 years working as a medical assistant in Melrose, Massachusetts — where she handled patient care, surgeries, and office support — Shirley retired to Florida at the age of 66. It was there that she met Bob, the man she describes as the love of her life.
“Nobody ever treated me like he did,” she said. “My siblings told me I finally got it right.”
Bob first won Shirley over with simple acts of kindness. After noticing she didn’t have a clothesline, he built her one. He packed picnic lunches for the two of them and reminded her that true chivalry still existed. It certainly didn’t hurt that Bob had a cat and wasn’t afraid to use Shirley’s love for cats as the perfect excuse to get her to stop by and visit.
Throughout the interview, Shirley repeatedly connected movement, involvement, and purpose with staying young at heart.
“She has FOMO,” her youngest daughter, Lori, joked affectionately.
Proudly admitting she always needed to stay involved, Shirley added, “You don’t stop, you have to move.”
And move she did.
From teaching dance routines she learned from her brother to competing in square dancing competitions with Bob — dressed in beautifully handmade outfits sewn by a friend — Shirley’s life of energy, movement, and joy shined through every story she recalled with us. Whether dancing, knitting, crocheting, volunteering, or caring for others, she filled her days with purpose and creativity.
But for Shirley, staying active was never just about keeping busy. It was about helping others.
“You come home happy because you made that person smile,” she said.
Her commitment to volunteerism led her to work with Al-Anon, an organization helping families affected by alcoholism. In Florida, she volunteered in hospitals, assisting with desk work and patient support while Bob handled maintenance projects. Her love of music later brought her to the Echoes Choir, a volunteer group that traveled to nursing homes and care facilities performing familiar songs for residents.
The impact was unforgettable.
As the choir sang old classics, Shirley recalled residents singing along, tapping their feet, and coming alive through the music.
“When are you coming back?” they would ask.
Her caregiving spirit extended into her home and family life as well. An avid knitter and scrapbooker for many years, Shirley created handmade gifts for the people she loved. One of her most treasured projects was creating personalized scrapbooks for each of her grandchildren, documenting their lives from birth through milestones like graduations and weddings. The albums became cherished family keepsakes, preserving generations of memories with every carefully placed photograph.
Though her children now live across the country, technology has helped Shirley remain closely connected. After learning to use an iPad in her 80s, she embraced texting, photos, and family messages as a way to stay involved.
Still, what she treasures most are the visits. And tells us how family members stop by often, which she loves and looks forward to.
At 100 years old, Shirley believes the secret to a life well lived is simple: stay active, stay involved, help others, and hold tightly to family.
“I tell the younger ladies here — get involved, do something, push yourself,” she said.
Though her body occasionally reminds her she has lived a full century, Shirley’s spirit remains vibrant, curious, and deeply engaged with life. When someone wishes her a happy 100th birthday, she still reacts with disbelief.
“I don’t feel 100 inside,” she laughed.
And perhaps that is the real story of Shirley.
Not simply that she reached 100 years old — but that after a century of caregiving, dancing, volunteering, loving, and showing up for others, she continues to live with the same warmth, humor, and joy that filled the room at her celebration.
A life measured not just in years, but in the countless people lucky enough to be loved by her.
