SHREWSBURY, MA

Shirley Anne Emerson passed away peacefully in the early hours of Saturday, August 17, 2024, at the age of 101 with family by her side. Born on October 28, 1922, in Sevastopol, Door County, Wisconsin, she was the daughter of Oliver and Pearl (Leroy) Johnson. On August 19, 1940, Shirley married her beloved husband, Paul Warren Emerson. Together, they shared a wonderful 66-year journey until Paul's passing in 2007. Throughout her life, Shirley remained a proud Wisconsinite, cherishing memories of her time in Door County, Poynette, Reedsburg, and at Bearskull Lake. The couple briefly lived in Chicago while Paul completed his Doctorate of Chiropractic at the National College of Chiropractic. In retirement, they enjoyed taking several months out of the year visiting family in other parts of the country but they always looked forward to returning to their Wisconsin home. A few years after Paul's death, Shirley moved to Massachusetts to live with family, where she relished the companionship and warmth of four generations all living together.

Shirley held various jobs while raising her family, but she especially cherished managing her husband's chiropractic office, where they were able to help so many people within their community. Her roles as a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother were central to her life, creating a legacy of cherished memories and traditions. A voracious reader with a love for nature, she enjoyed walks in the woods, gardening, curling, fishing, cooking, sewing, golfing, and testing her knowledge on Jeopardy every evening. Throughout her extraordinary life, Shirley witnessed profound changes, starting from her childhood where she lived in a home without electricity and traveled to school by horse-drawn sleigh in the winter, to embracing the digital age with enthusiasm, mastering computer solitaire, and engaging with social media. Her journey is a testament to her remarkable adaptability and resilient character.

With a gentle ear for listening and a genuine enthusiasm for hearing about others' lives, Shirley was a cherished confidant and conversationalist. Throughout her remarkable 101 years, she delighted in sharing her own stories and adventures, living each day to the fullest with a genuine passion for life. Her optimistic outlook and ability to find the silver lining in every situation were matched only by her mischievous humor. Her family will deeply miss her vibrant presence and joyful spirit.

Surviving Shirley are her three children, Timothy Emerson and his wife Susan, Claudia Bill, and Noel Emerson and his wife Lois; daughter-in-law, Anneliese Emerson; and prior daughter-in-law, Julie Svoboda; 14 beloved grandchildren and their spouses or significant others, Nathaniel Emerson, Stuart (Heather) Emerson, Lauren White (Chris Stevenson), Gabrielle Emerson (Debra McIntyre), Gregory Emerson (Sarah Cashmore), Heidi (Ethan) Brown, Kimberly Bill, Jennifer (Christopher) Lund, Angela (Robert) Sowden, Thomas E. (Jocelyn) Bill, Hannah Emerson (Bettina Garcia), Hailey (Jared) Abell, Grant Griffin, and Hunter Griffin (Tracey Williams); 15 amazing great grandchildren, Blake Emerson, Luna Emerson, Mason Brown, Elijah Brown, Carl Lund, Van Lund, Madelyn Sowden, Noelle Sowden, Robbie Sowden, Rory Bill, Ada Bill, Haddie Bill, Saylor Emerson, Logan Abell, and Riley Abell; one great-great grandchild, Carter Brown; and many nieces and nephews. Shirley was preceded in death by her two dear sisters and their spouses, Mary Jayne (Robert) Pafford and Ruth (Eugene) McKeague; sister-in-law and her husband, Marion (William) McLeish; her son, Steven Emerson and son-in-law, Thomas J. Bill.

Though her presence will be deeply missed, Shirley's family finds comfort in the blessing of having had her in their lives for so many years. True to her Lutheran faith, Shirley knew God's love and is now embraced in Heaven by those who have gone before her.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, August 26, 2024 at Hays Funeral Home, 56 Main Street, Northborough, MA. Shirley's family will receive other family and friends from 10:30 am to the time of service.

Funeral Services will also be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, September 21, 2024 at Dekorra Lutheran Church N3099 Smith Road Poynette, WI, with a brief committal service following at Hillside Cemetery Poynette, WI. Luncheon to follow at the Church.

To leave a kind word or gesture of support, please visit www.HaysFuneralHome.com.