Keller, Shirley

Shirley R. (Gordon) Keller, age 80, of South Dennis, formerly of Wilmington, died Friday, September 12, 2008 at Epoch of Harwich following a lengthy illness.

Born on September 15, 1927, in Andover, MA, Shirley was the daughter of the late Walter N. & Kathryn (Baillie) Gordon. She grew up in Andover, MA and was a graduate of Punchard High School, Shirley went on to attend Boston University and Mass. General Hospital Nursing Program where she received her bachelor’s degree in Nursing. Shirley was a member of the Mass. General Nurses Alumni Association and remained a Register Nurse her whole life. Shirley moved to Wilmington in 1951 where she resided until 1991, when she and her husband Richard retired to their Cape house in South Dennis which they built in 1985.

In her spare time Shirley Volunteered for the Red Cross, taught home nursing and CPR at the Wilmington High School, and did lots of volunteering in many capacities. She was an active member of the Wilmington United Methodist Church where she taught bible school, the North Side Methodist Church in Brewster and a member of the Wilmington Women’s Club. She also loved gardening, baking, doing crafts, and traveli ng. She along with her family and friends traveled across the United States, Spain, Israel, Egypt, and Canada. Shirley was a very giving person and was extremely devoted to her family who will miss her dearly.

Shirley is survived by her beloved husband Richard D. Keller. She was the devoted mother of Douglas C. Keller & his wife Carol of Lowell, Richard G. Keller & his wife Maureen of Andover, and Kirk C. Keller & his wife Donna of Methuen, loving grandmother of Kimberly Keller, Kate Keller, Michael Keller, Kristi Morris, Meghan Keller, Courtney Keller and great grandchildren Anthony Labbe and Addison Keller. Shirley is also survived by her dearest friend Gail Dixon of Wilmington.

Family and friends are invited to attend visiting hours at the Nichols Funeral Home, Inc., 187 Middlesex Ave. (Rte. 62), Wilmington, on Monday, September 15th from 4 – 8 p.m. Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, September 17th at the West Parish Cemetery, 129 Reservation Road, Andover, MA at 2:00 p.m. A Memorial Service will be held for Shirley at a later date in the North Side Methodist Church in Brewster, MA.

Memorial donations in Shirley’s name may be made to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, 5055 L.B.J. Freeway, Suite 250, Dallas, TX 75244.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Keller, Shirley, please visit our floral store.