Shirley M Valois

Shirley (Lawson) Valois, 84, of Worcester, a long time Millbury resident passed away peacefully Tuesday, January 18th 2011 at Memorial Hospital after a long struggle with C.O.P.D. Her husband of 43 years Edward Valois passed away in 1993. Shirley is survived her daughter, Gail S. Mercadante and her husband Dr. M. Richard Mercadante of Worcester; her son, Robert E. Valois and his wife Joyce of Fort Wayne, Indiana; five grandchildren, Major Matthew Mercadante U.S. Army and his wife Martha of Georgetown, Texas, Atty. Marie Mercadante-Angers and her husband David of South Hampton, Ma, Michael Mercadante of Auburn, Craig Valois and his wife Sonia of Holden, Jennifer Valois-Grammatic and her husband Ron of Spencer; six great grandchildren, Louis and Mario Mercadante, Joshua and Jonathan Angers, Kaylie and Danielle "Ellie" Valois,; Her longtime companion and friend, Kenneth Watrous of Worcester; Shirley also leaves two sisters, Dorothy H. Lawson of Worcester, and Nancy L. Zannotti of Thompson CT; Many nieces, nephews and extended family. She was pre deceased by a brother, William J. Lawson, Jr. and two sisters, Eleanor Arisco and Marilyn Hill. Shirley was born and raised in Worcester; she was the daughter of the late William and Helen ( Holm) Lawson. She graduated from Commerce High School class of 1945, and lived in Worcester and Auburn before settling in Millbury. In October of 2009, Shirley began residing at the Briarwood Continuing Care Retirement Community due to ill health. Shirley worked as an office assistant many years for Wyman-Gordon Company retiring in 1991. She previously worked at Crompton-Knowles Company and Kelly Girl Temporary Services. She was a longtime member of Emanuel Lutheran Church. Relatives and friends are invited to visit with the family from 9 am to 10 am Saturday, January 22nd in THE MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St. A Service will follow at 10:00 am. Burial will be in All Faiths Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Emanuel Lutheran Church, 200 Greenwood St. Worcester 01607 or Briarwood Residents Assistance Fund, 65 Briarwood Circle Worcester 01606. Shirley's family would like to thank the Staff and PCA's of Briarwood, Auburn Visiting Nurse and Lincare for the care and compassion provided to our mother Shirley.