Shirley J. Ames 71 of West Dennis died peacefully Thursday April 5, 2018, following a long battle with cancer, at Liberty Commons Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation in Chatham.

Born in Attleboro, Shirley was the daughter of the late Erwin G. and Janet O. (Wood) Ames. She was raised in Wrentham and graduated from King Philip High School. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts in 1968 and her master’s degree in education from Framingham State College.

Throughout her career as an elementary school teacher focusing on Special Education in Franklin, Shirley was a compassionate and knowledgeable educator. She earned many awards including being selected for Kappa Delta Pi, Education Honor Society and Teacher of the Year. She ended her career as Principal of the Davis Thayer School in Franklin. Shirley loved being a teacher and mentor to many children over her teaching career.

Upon her retirement, Shirley moved to her cottage in West Dennis where she loved the beach and windsurfing. She was co-founder of the Dennis Windsurfing Association which gives yearly scholarships to Dennis Yarmouth High School Seniors.

Shirley loved music, dancing and going to the theater. Her passion was traveling, which she did all her life starting with a three month backpacking trip throughout Europe after college. She was a beautiful person, and lived her life with kindness and grace. Shirley was remarkable in every way. She will be terribly missed by all who knew her.

Shirley is survived by her sister, Marcia Kozak and her husband, Paul of Harwich; her beloved partner, Ron Burke of West Dennis; her niece, Janet Ernst and her husband, Matt of West Yarmouth; two nephews, Craig Poschmann and his wife, Jill of Boston, and Kenneth Poschmann and his wife, Raegan of Easton; two great nieces, Olivia and Emily Ernst both of West Yarmouth; two great nephews, Jake and Luke Poschmann both of Easton; her former husband, George Babcock of Yarmouth; her aunts and uncles, Bill and Nancy Lillyman of Columbus, OH, and Priscilla Cook of Attleboro; and many cousins.

A memorial service will be held at 12 p.m. Friday April 20 in the Hallett Funeral Home, 273 Station Ave., South Yarmouth.

Interment will be private.

Visitation will precede the service beginning at 11 a.m. in the funeral home.

As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to the Town of Franklin, Davis Thayer Student Services, Attn: Miriam Goodman, Franklin Public Schools, 355 East Central St., Franklin, MA 02038.

Due to work on the Sagamore Bridge, please plan you trip accordingly.

I'm going to miss Shirley a lot. I will see her on the other side. Valiant fighter. Wonderful personality. May Shirley rest in peace.

I would like to express the sympathy of the members of the Cape Cod Framingham College Club. I usually send a card, but no address could be found. We are all alumni of Framingham State Univ. living on Cape Cod.

Condolences from the Class of 1964, King Philip Regional High School, Shirley’s class.

Auntie Shirley, You will be forever loved and missed dearly by all of us.

I will always love you and miss you Sis

Shirley, you will be missed.V1 Shutdown