Obituary of Shirley A. Wilbur
Shirley A. Wilbur, 97, of N. Grosvenordale passed away Friday, October 12, 2018 at Matulaitis in Putnam. Beloved wife of Marvin Wilbur of 53 years. She was born on September 4, 1921 in Fabyan, CT, daughter of the late Eddy and Sadie (Wilbur) Arnold.
Shirley attended Paine District School and graduated from Tourtellotte Memorial High School class of 1939. She worked on the family farm and at American Optical in Southbridge, MA, for over 40 years.
Shirley was very active in her church. She held many offices but enjoyed missions the most. She was the church organist for many years. Shirley was the coordinator for the Community Kitchen at the North Grosvenordale United Methodist Church for 25 years. She enjoyed helping to prepare and feeding all the clients with a good meal. She had clothes available for them as well. She enjoyed watching the birds that came to the yard, especially the cardinals and bluebirds. Shirley was an avid follower of the UCONN Women’s Basketball team and she also followed the Red Sox games. She loved to cook and she enjoyed a good meal. She loved making fudge. In earlier times she enjoyed crocheting, latch hook and plastic canvas. Shirley loved her animals, especially all the cats she had on the farm and the last one Buttercup. Throughout her life she did her best to follow the teaching of her Lord. She was a Certified Lay Servant in the United Methodist Church. Shirley will be missed by all who knew her.
She was a member of the Living Faith United Methodist Church of Putnam. She was a 7th Degree Member of the Grange and she joined the Quinnatisset Grange in 1936 and was Secretary of the Grange No. 65 until joining with Senexet Grange No. 40 in Woodstock, she enjoyed going to different Granges and meeting new friends. Shirley was a Pianist for the Cameron-Wilbur Installation Team, enjoyed cooking and working in her flower and vegetable gardens. She made jelly and jam, all kinds of pickles as well as preserving tomatoes, corn, beans and produce from her gardens. As a Certified Lay Servant, she enjoyed telling people about her Jesus and how he could change their lives. Her messages were always messages of God’s Love. Shirley had a great sense of humor. Shirley liked poetry especially poems by Helen Steiner Rice.
Besides her husband Marvin, she leaves her nephew Stanley David Arnold of N. Brookfield MA, his children Philip and Kristen and many friends. Predeceased by sister Vera Drury (Lewis) and brother The Reverend Darnold Arnold (Elizabeth).
A calling hour will be Saturday, October 20, 2018 from 9:30 to 10:30 AM at Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove Street, Putnam, CT. Followed by a funeral service at 11:00 AM at the Living Faith United Methodist Church, 53 Grove Street, Putnam, CT, burial to follow in West Thompson Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to The Living Faith United Methodist Church or Quinnatisset Grange scholarship fund, c/o Town of Thompson, 815 Riverside Dr, N. Grosvenordale, CT 06255. Share a memory at www.smithandwalkerfh.com