WESTFIELD: Shirley Anne Hotaling, 88, passed away peacefully on February 1, 2021. The youngest of six children, she was born in Southwick, MA on January 14, 1933, to Minerva and Agostino Bernardara. Shirley attended St. Mary’s School and graduated with the Class of 1950. On August 29th, 1953, Shirley married the love of her life, Arnold Hotaling. Shirley was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Devoted to her faith, she taught CCD in her home for many years. Shirley was a fabulous cook and she and her husband found great pleasure in gathering their family and friends around their table every Sunday and holiday for dinner. Shirley was a multi-talented artist and hobbyist and spent hours tending her herb garden, oil painting, knitting, quilting, cooking, baking, crafts and collecting antiques. She took great pleasure in welcoming her circle of friends for a visit, a cup of coffee and a lively chat. Shirley organized a knitting group who met at her home on Wednesday afternoons. The friendships that were cultivated within that group were one of Shirley’s greatest treasures. Shirley and her husband managed the restaurant and bar at Edgewood CC for many years and even after retirement, they cherished the relationships they made with their team of employees, who they often referred to as family and continued their close ties all these years later. The center of Shirley’s world was her family – her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild, as well as her beloved nieces and nephews.
Shirley leaves behind her daughter Kimberlee and son-in-law John Jaszek, her son Keith and daughter-in-law Theresa, her grandchildren Kevin Jaszek, Jonathan Jaszek and wife Jen, Jacob Hotaling and Abigail Hotaling, and her great-grandson Charlie. She was pre-deceased by her husband ‘Arnie’, son Kevin, brothers William Bernardara, Frank Bernardara, sisters Katherine (Kay) Quinn, Eunice Howe and Thelma Flynn.
A private service will be held at St. Mary’s Cemetery. A memorial Mass and celebration of life service for Shirley will be planned when it is safe to gather her many friends and family members. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Jimmy Fund danafarber.jimmyfund.org, The Bernardara Flag Fund, Town of Southwick Treasurer, 454 College Highway, Southwick, MA 01077, or St. Mary’s High School, 27 Bartlett Street, Westfield, MA 01085. Firtionadams.com
“May the Lord, whom she loved fiercely, wrap His arms around her. May she dance with her husband and hug her first-born son….”
