Shirley A. Monette

It is with profound sadness that we announce the death of Shirley A Monette, 95, who passed away on June 25, 2024, in her residence at Heywood Wakefield Commons, Gardner, in the loving arms of her entire family.

Shirley was born in Gardner on May 4, 1929, the daughter of William and Aili (Koivu) Smith. She graduated from Gardner High School with the class of 1947 and later from Mount Wachusett Community College in 1986 at the age of 58. In 1948, Shirley married Cleo Monette and raised her children, who were always her main priority in life. She was a 'stay-at-home' mom until her youngest was in school. She then worked at Sacred Heart School as a Teacher's Aide for 7 years. She volunteered in her children's activities, such as the Boy & Girl Scouts and Mother's Guild, always instilling in them the value of community involvement. She worked at Heywood Hospital Pharmacy for 10 years and then at GFA Federal Credit Union and Heritage Insurance Co. until her retirement.

She was an active member of AARP for 18 years and served as the Scholarship Chairperson for 12 years and in 2017 received the AARP Community Service Award during National Volunteer Week. She, of course, was always supporting her husband, Cleo while in politics and was affectionately known as 'Madam Secretary.' She enjoyed working for the Democratic Committee and was a poll worker for city elections. Shirley was a parishioner of Sacred Heart Church.

After the death of Cleo, Shirley was blessed to celebrate her second marriage in 2019 to Gerard Hachey. She enjoyed four years of togetherness in a new love, which brought her an extended family, especially Janice and David, Ron and Rita & Fern and Janet.

She leaves behind one son, Daniel J. Monette and his wife Karol, of Royalston; two daughters, Jill M. Cormier and her husband Rene, of Gardner, Holly A. Nuzzo and her husband Daniel, of Boston; a daughter-in-law, Cindy A. Monette; a 'daughterly niece' Celeste Billington; nine grandchildren, Allison, Joshua, Heather, Jason, Melanie, Kate, Aimee, Chad & Kristopher; 9 great-grandchildren, Dylan, Ashlynn, Cadence, Jensen, Damian, Ashton, Natalie, River and Baby Walsh to-be; a sister-in-law, Judy Monette; several loving nieces and nephews, and her grand doggies.

Shirley was predeceased by her husbands, Cleo Monette and Gerard Hachey, son, Michael C. Monette, daughter, Kathleen Monette, and sister, Dawn Roberts.

The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff at Heywood Wakefield Commons and Summit Elder Care for their exceptional care and support.

Funeral services will be held Monday, July 1, 2024, from the Boucher Funeral Home Inc., 110 Nichols Street, Gardner, MA 01440, with a Mass at 11:30 a.m. in Holy Spirit Church, 50 Lovewell Street, Gardner, MA 01440

Calling hours will be held Monday, July 1, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in the funeral home.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Heywood Wakefield Commons Activity Fund, 50 Pine Street, Gardner, MA 01440.