Shirley Eleanor (Borg)  71 of South Yarmouth died peacefully Friday November 16, 2018 at her home of appendix cancer.

She was the wife of Francis “Frank” C. Re, Jr. for 39 years.

Born in Hancock, Michigan, Shirley was the middle child of the late Stanley and Laura (Kurtti) Borg. Shirley spent most of her childhood growing up in Mount Prospect, IL, often traveling to the family farm in Tapiola, MI with her extended family of Finns and Norwegians.

Shirley’s life-long passion was playing the piano. She graduated cum laude from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN with a B.A. degree in music. After graduation she made her way east to Pennsylvania to become a group home administrator and would later work in the financial aid office of Gettysburg College. She then moved to Exeter, NH and then to Boston where she held various executive assistant positions and was highly regarded for her organizational and system administration skills.

While working in the sales office of the Boston Industrial Products Division of American Biltrite in Cambridge, Shirley met her future husband, Frank, and together this past October celebrated their 39th wedding anniversary. Prior to living in South Yarmouth, they lived in Jamaica Plain, West Roxbury and Brookline.

While living in West Roxbury, Shirley and Frank were blessed with the birth of their son, Anthony, now an artist currently living in Brooklyn, NY. When Anthony went off to Cambridge Friends School, Shirley gained valuable experience working as a volunteer in the school library. This experience led to a rewarding position as librarian assistant at the Pierce School in Brookline. When the library funding was cut, Shirley’s position was eliminated, but fortunately she acquired the position of special needs assistant which was personally rewarding in making a difference in the lives of young people. Over all those many years, Shirley had the good fortune of meeting many good people, some of whom have become dear, close friends including, Joan Hamilton of Jamaica Plain, Jean Horigan of Sharon and Betty Richardson of Newton.

Upon her retirement in 2013, Shirley moved east one last time to Cape Cod with Frank and Anthony where, as a family, they experienced much joy vacationing through the years. For Shirley and Frank it was also where they honeymooned in Provincetown. Their other well-loved family vacation and honeymoon spot was in Mount Desert Island, ME .

In addition to playing the piano, Shirley loved teaching the piano to students of all ages. She loved attending classical music concerts, especially at Symphony Hall in Boston and Tanglewood in Lenox. One of her all-time favorite concerts was hearing Vladimir Horowitz play at Symphony Hall.

Shirley loved life. She looked forward to each day and finding ways to fill each one. She had a life-long interest and talent in “handiwork” including knitting, crocheting, rag rug making, quilting, sewing and needlepoint. Shirley was especially skilled in knitting elaborate and intricate patterned afghans, scarves and sweaters.

Her other interests were homemaking, reading (a big Jane Austen fan), cooking, baking, gardening, home decorating, crossword puzzles, birdwatching, and the Red Sox and Celtics.

For over 20 years she was an active Unitarian Universalist, a past member of the Theodore Parker Church in West Roxbury, First Church Boston, and lastly, First Parish Brewster. At First Parish, Shirley was a member of the Council; the building maintenance, membership, dine-around committees and a regular thrift store volunteer. A strong advocate for social justice, Shirley also participated in a weekly discussion group on white privilege and was a member of PFLAG Cape Cod.

Shirley always seemed to be putting others before herself. She was thoughtful, generous and welcoming to all. Shirley loved being a wife, a mother, a sister, a daughter, a sister-in-law, an aunt and a friend. To Frank’s children, Brian and Jennifer, she acquired the affectionate title of “Shirley-mom” and subsequently “Shirley-gram” to their children. Shirley was kind and gave her love to all and she was loved in return. She loved being with and taking care of family. She especially loved preparing big family meals and get-togethers to celebrate holidays and special occasions – but she also enjoyed getting the family together for no reason other than to celebrate one another.

Finally, Shirley faced her cancer as she would face any other problem or hardship in her life: with a unique strength of character; with determination, grit, perseverance and resilience. She dealt with it not as a battle to be fought with winners and losers, but rather as something to be managed with a tenacious focus and spirit. That spirit Finns call SISU.

In addition to her husband, Shirley is survived by a son, Anthony A. Re and his spouse, Jay Willner of Brooklyn, NY; a step-son, Brian R. Re and his wife, Debbie of Indian Trail, NC; a step-daughter, Jennifer Drouin and her husband, Jake of Scarborough, ME; two sisters, Laurene Marshall of San Diego, CA and Marge Higgins of Sturgeon Bay, WI; three brothers in-law, John Re and his wife, Lorraine of Leverett, Richard Re of Boston, Robert Re and his wife, Anne of West Roxbury; a sister in-law, Deborah Reinhart Re and her husband Peter Reinhart of Boston; three grandchildren, Nick and Alex Re, and Jordan Drouin; and several loving nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Shirley was predeceased by a brother in-law, William Re.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday December 8 in the First Parish Brewster Unitarian Universalist Church, 1969 Main Street, Brewster, MA 02631.

Interment will be private.

In Shirley’s memory, please reach out to someone in an act of kindness

Dear Frank, Needless to say I am shocked. I so enjoyed hearing from Shirley and the support she and you gave Lady Di (WOMR Legg's Up & Dancin') was overwhelming. She often called into the station and I loved hearing her voice. You could tell she had a kind/loving heart for everyone. My dear Frank - "It's hard to understand why people are taken from us, but find comfort in knowing for over 39 years you were and always will be a part of a well-lived life. I am here for you anytime. Tons of Hugs & much love. Lady Di

Auntie Shirley will be dearly missed. I have many fond childhood memories of her and the things we did together. One Christmas she helped my mother, sister Cheryl, and I to bake over 300 dozen, yes 300 dozen, Christmas cookies. Can you just imagine? I also recall Aunt Shirley and my great aunt Marie teaching me to play “Jesus loves me this I know” on the old farm house piano. I also recall her helping me to make “julenissen” with which to don the Christmas tree. Elf On A Shelf long before its time. I still have 9 of them more than 40 years later. I love you and miss you dearest auntie.

Aunt Shirley worked such miracles with needles and yarn;I recall a pair of precious red mittens she knit for me, I must have been 3 or so... one of many memories of her boundless energy, kindness, and love of family. Love you, rest in peace with Grandma, Grandpa and the Great Aunties.

This is a poem I wrote. It is for my friend. Dedicated to Shirley Re A Re of Sunshine. Shirley, a strong and caring friend. A friend that was funny, loving and gentle. A friend that partook in many activities at church. A friend who has helped others in need. A friend that invited me over for dinner a couple of times, One of them was being Thanksgiving. I remember it well, I met the family, and we ate so much food that you and Frank lovingly created, that I was still full the next day. A friend that has put others before herself. When you and Frank started coming to church, you were this little light that shone. Your smile and pure heart could light up even the darkest of places. Even during your illness, you still manged to be brave and strong, and your light still shone. We all prayed and sent our healing light to you, so that you could get stronger. It seemed to help for a short while, now as your light has finally gone out, we will all miss you and even though you are no longer here, you are not really gone. You will always be a delicate beautiful flower, you will have that light and love in all of our hearts. You will always be a Re of sunshine in all of us!