Shirley A. Lupien

Shirley Ann Lupien, 87, of Gardner, Massachusetts, passed away Friday, January 24, 2020. 

She was born on December 7, 1932, to the late George and Eva (Caouette) Fagan. She was the youngest of five children. Shirley was raised in South Ashburnham and raised her family there. In 1953, she married James M. Lupien, and for the next 61-years, she worked at home and raised her family. She was always busy doing something. She loved to sew clothes for her children and served as Assistant Boy Scout Leader for her two sons. She shared her love of the outdoors with her family, camping, fishing, gardening, and excursions to many attractions in New England. She worked at Caouette's Catering and, in 1987, was co-owner of April's Fine Food and Ice Cream in Winchendon. Her homemade biscuits and made from scratch pies kept people coming back. During the early 1980's Shirley and her husband built a home in Hubbardston. They did all of the house construction themselves except for electrical and drywall. In addition to caring for her family, she always found time to help people. Through the years, she provided transportation for family and friends to attend medical appointments, rides to the airport, and whatever was needed. After raising six children, she and her husband raised their granddaughter, Colleen. In later years, her son, Randy returned home and provided the necessary support that enabled her to live in her own home, on her own terms. Shirley loved to play cribbage, watched the birds from her window, worked jigsaw puzzles, crocheted afghans, and potholders for her family and friends. 

She is survived by her children: Randy Lupien of Gardner, MA; James Lupien (Sheila) of Biddeford, ME; Kay Johnson (Jerry) of Billerica, MA; April Palmer (Steven) of Cottonwood, AZ; Heidi Happy (Andrea) of Bellingham, MA; Colleen Girouard (Keith) of Waxhaw, NC; son-in-law, John Kelley of Mariposa, CA. Grandchildren: Melissa Summers, Lindsy Lupien, Emily Lupien, John Michael Kelley, Ryan Johnson, and Luke Happy. Great Grandchild: Cody Legault and several nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, James in July 2015 and daughter, Patricia Kelley in September 2019. Shirley was also preceded in death by her four brothers and sisters: Phillip Fagan, Andre Fagan, Kathryn (Kitty) Pelletier, and Gloria Reynolds. 

Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, January 29, 2020, from the Boucher Funeral Home, Inc., 110 Nichols Street, Gardner, MA, with a Mass at 11:30 a.m. in Annunciation Parish at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church, 135 Nichols Street, Gardner, MA. Burial will be held at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 111 Glenallen Street, Winchendon, MA, at the convenience of the family.

A Calling Hour will be held Wednesday, January 29, 2020, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. in the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to the GVNA HealthCare, Inc., 34 Pearly Lane, Gardner, MA 01440. Over the years, the Gardner Visiting Nurses provided services and, most recently, hospice with dignity and respect. Please reference in memory of Shirley Ann Lupien.