Shirley R. (Bills) Rich

Of Saugus, formerly of North Revere and Andover, New Hampshire, died peacefully on October 13, 2023 at the age of 97 years.

Beloved wife for 68 years of the late A. Sheldon Rich.

Loving mother of Nancy LaFauci and her late husband Stephen of Abington, PA, Shelley Rich of Miami, FL, and Judith and her husband David DiGennaro of Saugus.

Sister of the late John B’Smith and his wife Elaine.

Devoted “Mimi” and “Grammy” to Andrea and her husband David Bernstein, Joshua Rich, Lindsay and her husband Ryan Sugar, Lauren DiGennaro and her husband Brian Anderson, and Matthew DiGennaro.

Great-grandmother of Alexander, Nicholas, Avery, and Charlotte.

Survived by many nieces and nephews.

Shirley had many joys in life.  She loved knitting and sewing, creating new things.   She loved swimming and bowling with her family and friends. She loved reading and music. She loved traveling.  She loved being an avid Boston sports fan, cheering on the Red Sox, the Celtics, and the Patriots,  She loved her Sundays at St. Cecilia’s.  But her greatest joy in life was her family,  She loved spending time with them, sharing meals and stories.  She loved family celebrations!  She was always ready to go to sporting events, school activities, dance recitals, birthday parties and graduations.  Family was everything to her!  She will be dearly missed.     

Family and friends will honor and remember Shirley’s life by gathering for a visiting hour in St. Cecilia Church, 18 Belvidere Street, Boston, on Friday, October 27, 2023 at 9:00 A.M. It will be followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:00 A.M.

Burial with her late husband will be in New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen, NH. on Monday, October 30, 2023 at 11:00 A.M.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Shirley’s memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 50, Memphis, TN 38101-9929.