Shirley E. (Staples) Connor passed away peacefully into the hands of her Lord on Thursday, June 28, 2018 surrounded by her loving family at Oakdale Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center. She was 91. Born in Springfield, raised in both East Longmeadow and Clinton, Shirley was the daughter of William R. and Jennie (Peterson) Staples and lived 62 years in West Boylston.

Shirley was a graduate of Clinton High School and later attended Simmons College in Boston. Shirley was married to Edward J. Connor Sr. and lived in West Boylston where they raised eight children. Later, she worked at the Colonial Press of Clinton and CVS Pharmacy in West Boylston.

Her life was centered on her strong faith in God and devotion to her family. She was an active member of Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in West Boylston where she served as a Eucharistic Minister into her eighties, taught CCD, and was a member of the Women’s Club and Just Friends. Shirley cherished every moment spent with her family; particularly the holidays and family gatherings.

She taught her children life lessons by being a loving, caring and selfless Mom. She was proud of her children and their many accomplishments; cheerleading from the sidelines and always encouraging them to be the “best version of themselves.” Although her heart was broken with the untimely deaths of two of her children, Paul and Carol, Shirley persevered and put her grief into action by investing her time and love into those she loved.

She will be lovingly remembered and missed by her six children, Patricia A. Thompson of Seekonk, Edward J. Connor, Jr. and his wife, Nancy of Holden, Kevin “Luke” C. Connor and his wife, Paula of Lancaster, Ellen M. Gagnon and her husband, Ronald of Sterling, Diane A. Sampson and her husband, Ronald of Jefferson, David W. Connor and his wife, Lisa of West Boylston; a son-in-law, Scott Szymkiewicz of West Boylston; 17 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. Besides her beloved husband, Edward “Smokey” Connor, Sr., Shirley is predeceased by her son, Paul M. Connor who died in 1981 and her daughter, Carol J. Szymkiewicz who died in 1992.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Shirley’s family from 4 to 6 pm on Sunday, July 1, at Miles-Sterling Funeral and Tribute Center, 100 Worcester Rd., Sterling. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 am on Monday, July 2, at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, 111 Worcester St., West Boylston. Shirley will be laid to rest at Worcester County Memorial Park in Paxton. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Oakdale Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center, Activities Fund, 76 N. Main St., West Boylston, MA 01583, or Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, 111 Worcester St., West Boylston, MA 01583.