SHIRLEY GIARD

BRIDPORT — On Nov. 28, 2024, Shirley Giard passed from this life to the next, peacefully in her sleep.

Born to Grace and Albert Greene of Bridport, Shirley was the only girl of three, having brothers Allen and Eddie. The family eventually moved to Orwell and Shirley graduated from Fair Haven High School in 1965.

Shirley’s life was punctuated by business adventures (she was a dairy farmer, a restaurant owner, a hairdresser and a mobile salon owner) her sharp sarcasm, a quick wit and an unwavering sense of right and wrong. These qualities endeared her to those who could appreciate them and caused those who didn’t to give a wide berth.

Her quick, dark humor in the light of misfortune, willingness to help, a core set of values centered in community and family and her love of all God’s creatures (with the exception of snakes) made her an easily recognized face and popular name in her hometown of Bridport.

Shirley is survived by her daughter, Sara Giard, to whom she passed on her devotion to animals and only the most positive and agreeable aspects of her personality. Sara’s daughter Vanessa was the light of Shirley’s life, and the two share a fashion sense and a wit. Sara’s husband Jesse fondly remembers helping Shirley with her country zoo of creatures including alpacas, horses, sheep, goats, geese, turkeys and many more. Jesse is thankful to have missed (narrowly) the dairy farm and restaurant days.

Shirley also left behind her devoted partner of more than a decade, Jim Valentino, without whom the family would have been lost. Jim, and their various cats and dog, Millie, supported Shirley in all of her animal loving and collecting, her love of yard sales and day trips. Jim was Shirley’s fulltime companion, caregiver, sounding board, voice of reason (rarely listened to) and most importantly, her comfort.

Lastly, Shirley left behind her ex-husband Harold, to whom she was married for more than two decades and remained close to. Harold and Shirley supported each other with a humor of envious depth in career changes, political aspirations, business developments and the raising of their daughter. They also supported each other in the ending of their marriage and the building of a true, enduring friendship.

Shirley’s entire family would like to sincerely thank the Townline First Response, whose humor, urgency, kindness and patience she relied heavily on. We should all be so lucky to be tended to by neighbors who have known and enjoyed us for so long.

Lastly, her family wishes to thank all of those who helped and knew Shirley, from the incredible community that is the town of Bridport, neighbors who kept a watchful eye, Home Health and Hospice who cared for and assisted Shirley in her needs, and all the medical professionals and service providers who do their jobs with compassion and diligence.

Shirley’s love of animals is perhaps her most famous quality, and she’d be dismayed if anyone spent money on flowers or cards when they could buy a bag of food for the Humane Society, so please do so in her honor. At her request, there won’t be services held, so over a cup of coffee with friends, share a story about her.

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