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She was born in Springfield, MA, Aug. 5, 1928, daughter of G. Russell and Mae (Kibbe) Bass. She attended area schools and graduated from Smith Vocational High School with a focus in culinary arts in Northampton, MA.
Following school, Shirley was employed as a cook at Smith College for four years and later at Rock Ridge Retirement Community from which she retired.
On Jan. 27, 1952, Shirley tied the knot with the love of her life, Willis S. Fuller.
Following retirement, Shirley and Willis relocated to Troy and later Keene, and then she settled in Vermont in 2008.
Shirley fiercely loved her family and was devout to her faith within the Seventh Day Adventist Church. She was famous for her cooking and baking skills – especially her cookies. She was also talented in sewing and crocheting. She loved a good picnic with those she loved. She often volunteered at the Keene Community Kitchen.
Shirley will be deeply missed by her children: Everett “Lanny”Fuller and his wife, Virginia, of Charleston, VT, and Betsy Whipple and her husband, William, of Fitzwilliam; son-in-law, Philip Smiley of Arkansas; grandchildren Andrew (Alex), Sherrie (Phil), Ben (Meghan), Alice (Win), Jason (Kaila), and James (Liz); great-grandchildren Ian, Ila, Nora, Janey, Philip, Anna, Raelyn, Mason, and Haisley; sisters June Nelson and Lillian Baxter, both of Massachusetts; sister-in-law Marjorie Bass of Wisconsin; as well as many nieces, nephews, and extended family and friends.
In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her devoted husband, Willis in 1997; daughter Nancy Smiley; and siblings Leroy Bass, Russell Bass and Jewell Horrocks.
Family will hold a private graveside service at Mt. View Cemetery in Troy. A memorial service in Newport, VT, will be announced at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Shirley M. Fuller’s name are suggested to be made to The Newport Seventh Day Adventist Church, P.O. Box 1043, Newport, VT 05855.
Fletcher Funeral Home of Keene is entrusted with Shirley’s care. To leave a memory or send the family condolences, visit www.fletcherfuneralhome.com.