Shirley C. Sullivan Sanborn, age 88, of South Dennis and Boston Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on December 7, 2021.

Born to Joseph and Cecelia Sullivan she was raised in West Roxbury, Massachusetts. Shirley brought tremendous joy to family and friends through her kindness, sense of humor, warm hospitality, and love of life.

She married Robert (Bob) Sanborn in 1957 and together they raised three loving children. Shirley was devoted to her children and grandchildren, with whom she shared her love of nature, books, the arts and God. She had a constant thirst for learning, a keen sense of style, and took great joy in entertaining. Her favorite place to be was at her home on Bass River, looking out at the water, surrounded by family and friends. She welcomed her children’s friends into her home as her own and created a house filled with constant laughter and love.

Shirley was a graduate of Mission Hill High School, Bryant and Stratton College, and Boston College. After college, Shirley was an executive secretary for leaders of some of the top companies in Boston. After starting her family, she pursued a Masters in Education and worked with students and special needs children in public and private schools in Boston.

Shirley is survived by her loving husband Robert and her children, son Robert J and his wife Louise, daughter Linda, and son Joseph and his wife Danita. She loved her daughter-in-laws, as if they were her own children. Shirley is also survived by her four wonderful grandchildren, Maura, Sean, Alexis and Morgan, who were the light of her life and whose accomplishments she celebrated proudly. Shirley was preceded in death by her lifelong friends, Mary McInerney and Peggy Sullivan whom she loved dearly and felt a deep sense of loss at their passing.

Shirley was a kind and wonderful woman who led an ordinary extraordinary life, cherishing the small joys of everyday living— the hoot of an owl, a visit to Nauset beach after a storm, a lady slipper orchid in the woods, rainbows, fireworks, and most of all, the laughter of her grandchildren.

Shirley will be deeply missed but her spirit endures through all those that she touched during her amazing life.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, December 13, 2021 at 10:00am in St. Pius X Catholic Church, Station Ave, South Yarmouth. Interment will follow in Holy Trinity Cemetery in Harwich.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Carmelite Monastery, 61 Mount Pleasant Ave, Boston, MA 02119.

Dear Bob and family, I'm sorry to hear about Shirley's passing. I was at an event last night and someone reminded me of Shirley so I decided to look her up and found this obituary. She was such a wonderful person. It's touching that her obituary also mentions Mary. We miss her so much too. Please know we are all thinking of you and your family and wish you well. Carrie & John McInerney

Dear Bob, Linda, Joseph and Danita, I am so sorry to hear of Shirley’s passing. I enjoyed our many talks about family at Wychmere over many years. My sincere sympathy, Ivy Leverone

Dear Robert, Louise and family,…On behalf of the BOB we are sharing in your sadness, but hoping the fond memories of your mother will bring you peace and comfort. Sending all of our love during this difficult time.