Shirley Ann (Bilodeau) Ogle

Shirley was born in Lowell, Massachusetts to working class parents who understood the value of a good education. Her mother, Theresa McKay Bilodeau, gifted her with a sharp and curious mind and a love of reading. Her father, Arthur Bilodeau, shared with her a passion for movies, and some of her fondest memories were long Saturdays spent in the local cinema.

Young Shirley was smart and capable, loved learning, and wasn’t afraid to push against the boundaries of a society that tried to limit what fields of study her gender were allowed to pursue. She was the only woman in the class of 1960 to graduate from Lowell Technological Institute with a degree in Plastics Engineering.

Shirley found a job with the Air Force in Washington D.C., where she met and married Ronald Ogle. They had their first daughter, Barbara, and soon moved to Florida, where their second daugher, Mary, was born. After deciding to divorce, Shirley returned to school for a Masters in Business Administration, and moved with her children to Jacksonville, where she worked many years for Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Florida, retiring as a Financial Analyst.

Shirley never lost her love for a good book, and especially enjoyed mystery stories of all kinds. She read the newspaper every day, without fail, and was a whiz at solving the daily crossword. She watched the news with a keen interest and strong, well-informed opinions on what was going on in the world. She enjoyed exploring other realities, spending hours watching science fiction and fantasy stories. British mystery programs were also among her favorites.

Shirley was preceded in death by her father Arthur Bilodeau, mother Theresa Burke, and sisters Theresa and Marie. She is survived by her daughters Barbara and Mary Ogle, and her sister Carolyn.

Shirley loved animals, especially her cats, who all adored her. It was seldom you saw her without a purring feline nestled happily on her lap. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you contribute to the World Wildlife Fund at www.worldwildlife.org.