SHIRLEY MCCLAY

VERGENNES — Shirley McClay has gone to join the Angels and to be with her husband, Jim, the love of her life. She was born in 1931 in Cabot, Vt., to Harry and Addie Searles. She was one of 18 children. She had a special connection with her brother Jake and his wife Nettie.

Jim and Shirley moved to Vergennes where they were very involved in the community. They operated the Brown-McClay Funeral home for many years; Shirley became a licensed funeral director to help Jim with the business, getting her driver’s license when she was 50. They helped to start the Sam Fishman Pool, the Vergennes Rescue Squad and she was an active member of the American Legion Auxiliary.

She enjoyed attending services and participating in activities at the Addison Community Baptist church, and outings and meals with the Addison County Seniors. Shirley was very proud to be an honorary member of the Cairo Mini Monsters of Rutland, helping to raise money for Shriners children’s hospitals.

Shirley leaves her family and many others who were blessed by her love and kindness. She was recognized for her many years of volunteering in the Vergennes community, most notably at Clarks Residential Care Home. She loved dancing, bingo, visiting the ocean and fondly remembered her Alaskan cruise with a few of her girlfriends. Shirley went skydiving for her 70th birthday.

Shirley is survived by her children, James McClay (Kathleen), Gayle Torrey (Mark), Tom McClay (Giselaine) and a beloved daughter-in-law Toni McClay; grandchildren, Shirley Katherine (Steven), James II, Amy, Timothy (Alexandra) Shelley, Paul (Jennifer), Joshua (Anna), Caitlin, Jen (Jim) Guenther, Carlie Porter, Nicole (Patrick), Karrinne (Ben), Danielle (Chris), Natalie (Brandon), Dominic, Alyssa (Noah) and Ciara; great-grandchildren, Annalise, Savanah, Kyle, Emily, Stephen, Nova, Bella, Nilah, Rachel, Zoe, Vance, Natalia, Cara (Corbin), Courtney (Steven), Dustin, Sadie, Patrick Jr., Lucy, Ciaran, Aoife, Ronan, Declan, Felicity, Finn, Adelina, Kolby, Lillian, Eloise, Charlotte, Penelope, Colette, Victoria, Sebastian, Agnes, Philomena, Gemma and George; and her great-great-grandchildren, Ava, Maverick, Colton, Addy, Tyler and Evan.

Many thanks to the caring staff at Helen Porter Nursing Home for caring for Shirley in her last months of life.

Calling hours will be held at Sanderson-Ducharme Funeral Home, located at 117 South Main Street, Middlebury, on Thursday, Jan. 11, from 4 to 6 p.m.

Funeral Services will be held on Friday, Jan. 12, at 10:30 a.m., at the funeral home with the Rev. Stephen Payne officiating.

Private burial will take place in Prospect Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Boys and Girls Club of Vergennes or Vergennes Area Rescue Squad.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Sanderson-Ducharme Funeral Home. Online condolence at www.sandersonfuneralservice.com. ◊