WESTFIELD – Shirley Mae Dewey (Burns), a longtime resident of Westfield passed peacefully at 98 years of age on May 3rd, 2026, at Greystone Farm in Salem, NH.
Born in Westfield on November 21st, 1927, she was the daughter of Walter and Grace Burns (Frost) and the youngest sister of nine siblings – Robert, Doris, Katherine, Beatrice, Wesley, Geraldine, Walter, and Jean – all of whom predeceased her.
Shirley was married to Robert G. Dewey, also of Westfield, from 1948 until his passing in May of 2021. Shirley is survived by two children, R. Bruce Dewey, and his wife Jody (Andrews) of Portsmouth, NH and Robin J. Moore (Dewey), and her husband David Moore of Merrimac, MA. She is also survived by six grandchildren and their spouses and six great-grandchildren.
Shirley will be remembered most for the love and care she gave to her family and close friends. She was an extraordinary woman whose warmth, patience, and kindness left a lasting impression on all who knew her. In her last years in Salem, she was a kind presence and inspiration to her caregivers. As a mother, Shirley was a steady and deeply loving presence. She put her family first and gave of herself generously, offering encouragement, understanding, and love. She will be a fond memory for those she touched.
She enjoyed her travels with family, including trips to Europe, the Grand Canyon, the mountain west and vacations along the Maine Coast. She created several quilts, canned vegetables, kept a lovely perennial flower garden and hosted years of holiday picnics. Her decades-long membership in the Tuesday Morning Club brought her much joy. She was energized and thrilled by the research she did on a variety of historical and cultural topics for periodic presentation to the members. Shirley was also a Soprano soloist for the Central Baptist Church and directed the youth choir, performed close harmony in The Concordia Trio, and sang sacred choral music with GWCA and the Hartford Symphony Chorus when they toured England and the Continent. She always showed great dedication to anything she did in life.
Shirley’s legacy is one of love, kindness, and quiet strength. She will be deeply missed and warmly remembered.
Calling hours for Shirley will be held on Saturday, May 9th from 9-11 a.m. at Firtion-Adams Funeral Service, 76 Broad Street, Westfield. A service will follow at 11 a.m. Firtionadams.com
