Shirley E. Whitelaw

She was raised in Quincy, MA by her parents Ernie and Peggy Rich with her two sisters Barbara and Janet. The girls summered together at camp in Hopkinton, MA.

Shirley graduated from North Quincy High School in 1948, where she was the head majorette, always displaying her dedicated school spirit and never-ending energy. She went on to Interior Design School in Boston. The creative skills she learned there would stay with her for the rest of her life, as she was an accomplished oil and watercolor painter.

She was a dedicated wife to Robert (Scotty) Whitelaw for 64 years. They initially lived in Dedham, MA, then moved to Fair Haven, NJ in 1960, where Shirley would spend much of her time ensuring her four children were afforded every athletic and academic opportunity possible. Sixteen years later the family moved to their beautiful home on Scorton Creek in East Sandwich.

Above all, Shirley enjoyed spending time with her friends and family. Her hobbies included downhill skiing, golfing, and gardening, all of which she continued to do into her 80s! She was a passionate member of the Cape Cod ski club and enjoyed many ski trips all over the world, to places like Aspen and the Swiss Alps.

Shirley loved her Fort Hill Road home and always left the door open for family and friends to come share a laugh together. She and Scotty resided in Sarasota FL during the winter months during their retirement. If you wanted to find Shirley in her later years you would find her in her garden, down at Scorton Creek, or Hyannisport Golf Club. Shirley was a member of the West Parish Church in West Barnstable, MA and resided at Thirwood Place in S. Yarmouth for the last six years of her incredible life.

Shirley is survived by her children Andrea Fleckles (East Sandwich, MA) and her husband Bob, Karen Hall (New Boston, NH) and her husband Tony, Kim Drake (Simsbury CT) and her grandchildren Christopher Hall and his wife Katie, Trevor Hall and his wife Christy, Adam Fleckles and partner Francesca (Frankie), Jason Fleckles and his wife Stacy, Brian Fleckles, Jed Ryan Drake and his wife Jessica, and Darby Drake. Her great grandchildren are Olivia and Lucy Hall, Pierson Hall, Benjamin and Rose Fleckles, and Charlie Drake.

Shirley was predeceased by her husband Scotty and son Scott.

A memorial service will be held on May 11 at 12 noon at West Parish Church, 2049 Meetinghouse Way, West Barnstable.

Donations can be made to the AIDS Foundation at support.asgcc.org and Thirwood Staff Appreciation Fund- checks can be made out to TRPA and mailed to Thirwood Place, attn: Staff Appreciation Fund, 237 N. Main Street, S. Yarmouth, MA 02664.