SOUTHWICK – 
Shirley Anne Hanks, 90, passed away in peace on April 15, 2020. She was born in Westfield, MA on April 30, 1929, the daughter of Deodato and Valia A. (Pomina) Bonini. She attended Southwick Consolidated School and was a graduate of Westfield High School (MA) Class of 1947. Shirley married Fred A. Hanks on June 17, 1950 and celebrated nearly 67 years of a loving marriage until his passing on March 3, 2017. They cherished their life together, raising a family, contributing to the community and enjoying their little piece of heaven on Miller Road near the Congamond Lakes in Southwick, MA.
Shirley’s life largely centered around her loving family, Catholic faith and dear friends. She was a devoted and loving daughter who cared for her aging mother through the years; an amazing and creative mother that instilled confidence as well as a sense of wonder, adventure and humor into the lives of her sons; a gentle and caring soul who loved all creatures great and small, especially the four-legged kind and those little “broken” animals her young sons would bring home that required needed care and attention. Grandma Shirl especially treasured playing with her grandchildren and great grandchildren and attending their events and activities.
Shirley enjoyed the simple richness and cadence of life – “fussing” with her flower garden, long walks with her dogs, listening to her Boston Red Sox on the radio, cheering on UConn Women’s Basketball and enjoying anything chocolate. She was a magnet that brought the family together, especially during holidays and special family gatherings.
She had a deep and abiding love of God and was a faithful parishioner of Our Lady of the Lake Church in Southwick. She also loved her country and community as a member and past commander of the American Legion Post 338 Women’s Auxiliary for over 63 years, an active member of Southwick Town Democratic Committee and other community causes. Shirley was a sensitive and caring soul with a wonderful sense of humor, sometimes punctuated with one-line zingers that the family fondly called “Shirley-isms”. She graced us with the gift of love during her life’s journey. A verse from Emily Dickinson best captures her gentle spirit:
“If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain; If I can ease one life the aching, Or cool one pain, Or help one fainting robin, Unto his nest again, I shall not live in vain.”
Shirley is survived by her son Marc and his wife Debbie of Westfield, MA and her son Dean of Vaughn, WA; her grandchildren Anthony Hanks, Kara (Hanks) DesRoche and her husband Robert, and Courtney Hanks, as well as her great-grandchildren, Connor DesRoche, Lily Hanks and Garrett DesRoche; her sister Donna Phillips and her husband Kenneth of Southwick along with numerous loving nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brother Edward Bonini.
The family would like to thank the Administration and staff at the Armbrook Village Assisted Living facility in Westfield for the exceptional care and support of Shirley and her husband over the years. A private Christian Rite of Committal will be held in New Cemetery, College Highway, Southwick, MA. A memorial Mass and celebration of life service for Shirley will be planned in the future. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Our Lady of the Lake Church, 224 Sheep Pasture Rd, Southwick, MA 01077
