Obituary: Shirley Lyons Guerra, 94, of New Haven

Obituary courtesy of W.S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home:

Shirley Guerra, 94, of New Haven, Connecticut passed away peacefully in her sleep at her home on July 30, 2021.

She is predeceased by her son John Guerra, her brothers Richard, and James Lyons. She will lovingly be remembered by her children Nick, Paul, and Gail, her grandchildren Wesley, Daniel, Nicole, Kyle, Melanie, Andrew, and Jamie.

Shirley grew up in the village of Stony Creek, Connecticut where she was raised by her grandparents Hattie and James Carden. Shirley often told stories of being raised in a small shore town and the summers she spent going on boat rides throughout the Thimble Islands and swimming in the Long Island Sound. Her love for the ocean continued throughout her life.

In her later years, she truly lived her life to the fullest and traveled all over the world, including Spain, Portugal, Costa Rica, and of course her favorite place of all, Jamaica.

Shirley treasured her family and especially loved being a grandmother. Years before her passing she wrote: "I would like my children and grandchildren (also great-grandchildren) to remember me with a sense of humor. I would also like them to know that I loved them very much. I would like them to know I prayed for them every day."

All who loved her dearly will never forget her vivacious personality, strength, tenacity, wit, charm, and undying love for her family.

A private family memorial service will be held in lieu of a traditional service. She will be laid to rest beside her son John and her grandparents, in the shore town she grew up in, at Stony Creek Cemetery.