Shirley Ann Brouillard

Born October 3, 1936, in Chicopee, MA, as the first child of Paul P. and Helen R. Piela. Shirley is preceded in death by her parents; sister, Mary Jane (Midge); and husband, William (Bill) F. Brouillard. She is survived by her sons, William F. Jr. (Sandra); Robert P. (Kristine); John F.; daughter Cynthia A. (Jeff) Renier; granddaughters, Shelley L. (Ryan) Murphy and Sarah A. Brouillard; great-granddaughters, Riley Lynn Murphy and Olivia Morgan Murphy; sisters, Justine Bardzik and Paula Piela and many nieces and nephews.

Shirley, born and raised in Massachusetts, graduated with Honors from Chicopee High School in 1954 and Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in 1957. Shirley began her 41-year Nursing Career at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, MA, where she assisted new mothers in the Labor and Delivery Department. In later years she provided patient support in several private practice offices in the Springfield, MA, and Orlando, FL areas. Although she retired in 1998, she never stopped her love of nursing and helping others lead healthy lives.

On October 19, 1957, Shirley and Bill were married in Chicopee, Massachusetts, and began growing their family the following year. In 1980, they relocated their family to Orlando, FL, to start the next chapter of their lives. As their “nest” began to empty, Shirley and Bill enjoyed traveling and spending time with family and friends. Later years would find her enjoying time with her family, including granddaughters, reading and the local beaches.

Our Mom was our biggest cheerleader and sometimes critic, our rock and our soft place to land. Her love of family shone through each check-in phone call, note in the mail and family celebration. Our family grieves the loss of this vibrant spirit, but takes comfort knowing that she has been reunited with our father and passed loved ones.

A private Catholic Mass took place on June 7, 2022, at Holy Family Church in Orlando, Florida. Interment at St. Stanislaus Cemetery in Chicopee, Massachusetts, will take place September 23, 2022. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to the Benedictine Monks at St. Benedict’s Abbey - www.benetlake.org