The family of Shirley Smith Carpenter shares the news of her peaceful passing just shy of her 100th birthday. She was born in 1926 to Frank Carl and Mary Emily Smith in Dauphin, Manitoba, Canada. A trailblazer from a young age, she left the comfort of her Canadian family of three sisters and two brothers to start a career in Springfield, Massachusetts. In 1944 Shirley met her husband of fifty years, Ned, while volunteering for the Red Cross.

True to her adventurous and resourceful nature, she excelled during her thirty-five year career at the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company working in various levels of increasing responsibility in the Human Resources department.

Shirley lived her life with a jubilance she happily shared with others, always livening special occasions with a witty poem she’d written for the occasion. She sang enthusiastically at every opportunity and felt an accompanying dance was always appropriate. If there was an organization in Springfield or Wilbraham that helped others, she usually ran or volunteered for it, and got others involved. She was active in Zonta and the Wilbraham Women’s Club, a board member for the Goodwill, the GFWC, Chamber of Commerce, the YWCA, and was an active member of the South Congregational Church.

Shirley is survived by her nieces and nephews Bruce Smith, Peggy Baker (Larry Hahn), Devon Wolf (Gary), Murray Smith (Kathy), Cameron Smith (Summer), Carla Smith, Leah Cameron, Sydney Cameron, Andre Albinati (Corianne), Emily Cannell (Tom), Dannette Cook (Samir), Claire Endersby (Todd). She will be especially missed by Peg Orr and Pam Piccirilli.

The family wishes to thank the wonderful staff at Reed’s Landing for providing a home and extended family since 1989.

Family and friends may gather for Shirley’s Committal Service on Monday, March 16th at 3:00 pm at MA Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main St., Agawam. Wilbraham Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Goodwill at www.goodwillmass.com.