Shirley Leard passed away peacefully on Friday morning, August 20 ^th at the age of 91.

Shirley was a remarkable woman and radiated a positive outlook on life, no matter the circumstances.

She was also woman of deep faith.  After high school, she took the train to Illinois and attended Wheaton College, an evangelical liberal arts college.  Though she missed her family and Connecticut home and left after one year, she became and remained a faithful member of the Groton Heights Baptist Church until moving to Florida. There, she became a member of the First Baptist Orlando church and was active in the "Light of the World" Group (Sunday School Class) until her health prevented participating.

Her life verse was from Matthew "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."

Though she never married, Shirley cherished her family.  She deeply loved and helped care for her father during his battle with cancer and for her mother as her heart and memory faded.  When her brother, Tom, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, Shirley helped care for him on a daily basis until he passed away.

She was close to and an inspiration for her brother and family – sister-in-law Nancy and nephews Doug (Kristin and children Tyler, Corinne & Brian), Tom, and Chris (Christine and children Max, Ellie & Sam).  She loved the Leard clan in Prince Edward Island and was blessed to have extended family close to her in Florida. Ron & Elaine Phillips visited Shirley regularly and their family included her in holidays and special occasions.  On Shirley's final day, Elaine's daughter Kim stayed by her side.

Shirley also cared for her friends and neighbors. In her late 80s, she drove her neighbor to dialysis treatments.  At the same time, she helped Mary, who lived next door for decades, as she struggled with dementia and physical impairments. To her final days, she remained in contact with friends throughout the country.  She spoke regularly with Bill Baldwin and Dick Jennings, whom she had known for almost 75 years.

Shirley knew how to have fun. Memories abound of opening Shirley's door to hear the laughter of Jack Leard (her cousin) and of rousing games of poker with Shirley, Jack, Earl (Jack's Dad), Shirley's parents and brother.

She had a great sense of humor and would get a glint in her eye as she came out with a quip that would bring laughter or a smile. For example, her neighbor in Crane's View Lodge (an assisted living facility) was an ex-Green Bay Packer football player. Shirley shared the story of challenging him to a race as they used their walkers to return from dinner. He declined but Shirley (with a glint in her eye) was sure she could have won.

Shirley was independent. She was a teacher at the Mystic Oral School in Connecticut for over 30 years. During summers, she traveled. She drove across country and up into Canada with her friend Peg, camping along the way. She went sailing off the coast of Washington state, rafted through the Grand Canyon and traveled to Europe. She golfed and even tried skiing.

Finally, Shirley was thankful. Rare was a conversation when she did not express her gratitude for her family, her friends and, in her final years, for the staff at Crane's View and Compassionate Care (hospice).

She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.