Published March 15, 2019
METHUEN — Shirley Ann Rhodes of New Hampshire, formerly of Melrose, passed away on March 10, 2019 at Holy Family Hospital, Methuen. She was a long time resident of Melrose and a graduate of Melrose High School.
The daughter of the late Ivan Rhodes and Vera Bickford Rhodes, Shirley is survived by her brother, Edward Rhodes, nieces, Karen Brett, Dyann Rhodes, Valerie Rhodes, Heather Wensinger and her dear cousin, Ruth Peck. Loving and close friend of Elizabeth Carmichael, Dianne Jackson as well as many other loving and devoted friends.
Shirley was a beautiful, generous person who enjoyed life to the fullest. She made friends, young and old, from coast to coast. If Shirley was your friend, your life became immediately richer. Accounting was her profession and she held various positions at National Research in Cambridge, Tudor Engineering in San Francisco and Pella Windows in Woburn. She travelled the world, loved Europe, and had a special affinity to Prague, Czech Republic.
Although spending most of her life on the East Coast, her time in California was spent cultivating many longterm friendships and honing her skiing skills. Many people learned their dance moves from Shirley as she was always one to be reckoned with on the dance floor.
Shirley’s smile was magical and her laughter contagious. She was considered by all as being the life of the party and will always be remembered for her kindness, compassion, and beautiful soul.
Visitation will be held at the Gately Funeral Home, 79 W. Foster Street, Melrose on Friday, March 15 from 10-11 a.m., followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, P.O. Box 5014 Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014.
