Shirley Ducharme Deasy

Shirley Ducharme Deasy, 90, wife of the late Marshall Porter Deasy, Jr., passed away peacefully at St. Mary Home on Friday, April 13, 2012. Born May 1, 1921, in Pittsburgh, PA, she was the eldest of seven daughters born to Nelson and Helen Ducharme. Shirley is survived by four of her five children and their families; Marshall P. Deasy III of New Bloomfield, PA, her daughter-in-law Deborah Deasy of Noank, Dinah D. Coleman and her husband Dennis of West Hartford, Timothy J. Deasy and his wife Lynn of Norfolk, and Melissa D. Ginsburg and her husband Gil of Madison. She was predeceased by her son Michael P. Deasy; daughter-in-law Alice Deasy; and sisters Jeanne Ducharme and recently, Mary Ellen Wood Holt. Shirley also leaves behind nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; Marshall P. Deasy IV, Steven M. Deasy and his son Braedon, Sarah D. Moriarty, her husband Thomas and their children Kara, Grace and Liam, Seth M. Deasy, his wife Kori and their daughter Ena, Ryan and Conor Deasy, Christopher Friar, and Matthew and Martin Ginsburg. Shirley spent 30 years in Barkhamsted raising five children with her husband Porter. She taught her children the importance of family, the English language, reading, writing and appreciation of the outdoors. The Deasy home was always alive with furred and feathered animals alike. As much as she loved the wildlife that came and went through her doors, she would cook anything her sons dispatched; trout, frog's legs, and the occasional unlucky squirrel. From the mid 60's to the mid 70's, Shirley worked as a teletypist for the Hartford Courant in their bureau located in Winsted, CT. Though hired to teletype stories, her employers quickly learned that Shirley's command of the English language made her invaluable as a story editor. Shirley was lucky to have a wonderful family of six sisters. She leaves behind Dorothy Ann Lavieri and Nanette Lavieri both of Barkhamsted, Blanche Deasy of Ambler, PA and Katherine Doyle of West Hartford. Her sisters were very close to Shirley while growing up and particularly so once they had families of their own. Once living at St. Mary, the Ducharme sisters were constant visitors and gave tremendous support and comfort to Shirley in her last years. Shirley's family would like to express their deepest thanks to the many volunteers, caring staff, particularly those in West Two, of St. Mary Home and most recently, Masonicare Hospice. Shirley was extremely fond of the many friends she made at St. Mary in the last 11 years. Her very special friend and roommate of four years, Domenica Healy, watched over Shirley tirelessly. Now Domenica has someone to watch over her. A memorial service will be held in the chapel at St. Mary Home on Monday, April 30, 2012 at 2 p.m. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Pleasant Valley, CT, at a later date convenient to the family. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Shirley's name to Mercy Community Health, 2021 Albany Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06117. Online condolences may be made at molloyfuneralhome.com.

Shirley Ducharme Deasy

May 1, 1921 - April 13, 2012