Shirley M. Varanese

Shirley Marie (Dowd) Varanese, of Fall River, passed away at the age of 92 on December 29, 2021 in the company of her family. She was the wife of the late William D. Varanese (2018). Shirley was born in Fall River on March 8, 1929, the daughter of the late Bennett and Ellen T. (Pine) Dowd.

She grew up in the North Eastern section of the city off of Meridian Street where she was a communicant of the Holy Name Parish. She graduated from BMC Durfee High School with the class of 1947.

Bill and Shirley were married on October 9, 1948 and together they raised seven children. They were married for 69 years until Bill’s passing on June 30, 2018.

After some time as a Dental Assistant, she joined Bill and was a Driving Instructor with Bill’s Auto School. She worked as Ms. Bill for many years endearing herself to a multitude of eager young drivers both on the road and in the classroom. Bill & Shirley became well known as Mr. Bill and Ms. Bill, promoting the driving school’s memorable motto of Bill’s Drivers Drive Right.

She was a prolific cake maker and produced many well-appreciated cakes for both family and friends with themes such as Over-the-Hill for aging people, Doll Cakes, Castle Cakes, Wedding and Groom’s Cakes and even a special “Diamond” Dog Cake for Bill.

A long-time communicant and volunteer at St. Peter and Paul Church and School, she served in the kitchen with Bill both for Bingo and for the school lunch program. Shirley also taught sewing to the middle grade students.

A founding member and first President of the Fall River Mother of Twins Club, she was recognized by the organization for her many years of service with the Honorary Founding Member award in 1991.

Shirley was a doting and supportive mother and grandmother providing many unique experiences for the family. She used her seamstress skills to outfit the children in various outfits such as Easter Sunday and Thanksgiving Pilgrims. Her other homemade creations brought joy to the lives of her children, friends and family. She was also a talented quilt maker and made a cat quilt for Janet, a dungaree quilt for Chet, a butterfly quilt for herself, and a most loved and now well-worn family quilt for Anna.

Shirley’s surviving children are: William Daniel Varanese (Pam) of Fountain Hills, AZ, Judith Ellen Folster (Rich) of Simi Valley, CA, Jo-Ann Marie D'Antuono (William) of Naples, FL, June Angela Stankiewicz (Joe) of Westport, MA, John William “Chet” Varanese of Fall River, MA and Angela Rose Busath (Dave) of Orem, UT. Her daughter, Janet Christine Valcourt (Chet’s twin), passed away in 2013. Also, she is survived by one sister Phyllis Panchley of Fall River, MA and one brother Steven Dowd, currently residing in Florida, and many nieces and nephews, and was preceded in death by siblings Beatrice “Bebe” Arrants, Joseph “Buddy” Dowd, James “Jimmy” Dowd and Cynthia E. Lamb. Mrs. Bill was blessed with sixteen grandchildren, seven step-grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren and fifteen step-great-grandchildren.

She will be sadly missed by all.

Her visitation will be Thursday, January 6, 2022 from 8:00 – 9:30 AM in the Waring-Sullivan Home at Cherry Place, 178 Winter St., Fall River followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:00 AM in St. Mary’s Cathedral, Spring St., Fall River. Burial will be in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Fall River. Relatives and friends are invited. Flowers are respectfully discouraged and instead the family suggests donations to your favorite charity in her name.