RUSSELL -Shirley (Grant) Leidt, 86, of Russell, Massachusetts, passed away Thursday, January 8, 2015. Born in Springfield on June 24, 1928, she was the daughter of Sidney and Louise (Garrisch) Grant. Shirley was a 1946 graduate of Pittsfield High School and employed as a bookkeeper for the former O’Connor Lumber Co, Westfield before becoming a ceramic teacher. Shirley is best known for her artistic creations in oils, ceramics, porcelain and pies. She loved organizing church suppers. June 19, 2003 was proclaimed Shirley Leidt Day in the city of Westfield for 15 years of dedicated service to the Senior Center enhancing the lives of those she taught ceramics. Shirley and her husband Peter were long time members of the Pioneer Valley Ceramic Association. Shirley loved her travels to Europe and around the USA to see her sons and daughters. Shirley is survived by her husband of 51 years, Peter F. Leidt and her children; sons, Paul Moore (New York, NY) and his wife, Casandra; Bruce Moore (East Longmeadow, MA) and his wife Jill; Peter Leidt, Jr (Austin, TX); daughters, Bonnie Olchowski (Barrington, RI); Allison Toms (Pensacola, FL); Melanie Strycharz and her husband, Bill (Steamboat Springs, CO);and Darryl Wright (San Antonio, TX) and her husband, Jim. She was predeceased by her sisters, Arlene Rousseau and Wilma Brown. Shirley also leaves behind 11 grandchildren, Eric, Eric, Adam, Shannon, Sarah, Chris, Julie, Tom, James, Josh, and Jake and 5 great-grandchildren Amelia, Emily, Logan, Lillyana, and Lorelei. There will be calling hours on Monday, January 12, from 4 to 7 PM at Firtion Adams Funeral Home, 76 Broad St, Westfield and a memorial service, on Tuesday, January 13, at 1 PM at the Second Congregational Church, 487 Western Ave, Westfield. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Cancer House of Hope, 1999 Westfield St, West Springfield, MA 01089. www.firtionadams.com
