Shirley Chevalier Obituary

West Boylston/North Fort Myers-Shirley M. (Hayes) Chevalier, 87 passed away peacefully in her home Sunday, September 4, 2022 surrounded by her loving family.

Shirley was born on April 28, 1935 in Worcester the daughter of Irene (Collette) Hayes and William A Hayes. Mrs. Chevalier leaves many behind that will miss her dearly including her husband of 67 years Raymond A Chevalier Jr; her children, Philippe Chevalier and his wife Judith Chevalier of West Boylston, Massachusetts, John Chevalier and his wife Cathy Chevalier of Grandview, Tennessee, Lynn Sherblom and her husband Robert Sherblom of North Fort Myers, Florida and Julie Bennett and her husband Richard Bennett of Concord, Ohio; her brothers Col. William A. Hayes, Jr, Ret. and his wife, Sandra, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Kenneth D. Hayes, Sr. and his wife, Marie, of Derby ,Vermont.

She leaves her grandchildren Rachele, Renee, Leia, Philippe, April, Ben, Maegan, Abbey, Joshua, Daniel, Rebekah, Luke and Hermela, her great-grandchildren Clayton, Elle, Scarlett, Atlas Cole, Maxwell, Luna, Liana, Charles, Ruth, Judah and Marcello. She also leaves many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Shirley and her husband, Ray, enjoyed six months out of the year in North Ft. Myers, Florida where they had many close friends. She enjoyed golf, playing cards and being a proud member of the Flamingos. In her free time she enjoyed club house activities and loved to play Wi bowling. Most of all, she treasured the time she spent with her family, her beautiful grandchildren and great-grandchildren who called her Memere and Grandmere. She believed her home was a welcoming space for her family and friends.

Shirley and Ray were water skiing partners of the Aqua Ski Follies Club and were members of the American Water Ski Association. In 1958 they were Eastern Mixed Double Champions finishing in First Place at Lake Opechee, NH.

Shirley’s servant heart was reflected in the many ways she served as an active member Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. She served as a Eucharistic Minister, a CCD teacher, and was involved in the Family Life Ministry and Cursillo at the parish and diocesan level. She was also a beloved youth chaperone on many retreats, as well as providing the Eucharist to shut-ins.

She was a member of the ABWA (American Business Women’s Association) and was awarded the ABWA Woman of the year ABWA 1983-84.

After graduating from Millbury High School in 1953, she raised her 4 children and later earned an LPN Certificate at David Hale Fanning School of Nursing. She was previously employed at the Oakdale Nursing Home and the former Holden Hospital. She retired after 15 years serving faithfully as secretary at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church under Rev John Burke. After retiring, Shirley and Ray enjoyed traveling and cruising together with family and friends.

To honor Shirley’s memory and to celebrate her life, family and friends are invited to visiting hours Thursday, September 8th from 4:00 until 7:00PM at Fay Brother’s Life Celebration Funeral Home, 1 West Boylston St., West Boylston. A funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady of Good Counsel, 111 Worcester Street, West Boylston on Friday, September 9th at 11:00AM. Burial will follow in Mount Vernon Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Shirley’s honor may be made to Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, 111 Worcester Street, West Boylston, MA.