Shirley A. (Romeo) Bienvenue, 73 of Southwick MA passed away after a long tough battle with cancer, surrounded by family in her home on September 28th at 11:40 AM.  Shirley was born February 14, 1944 in Pittsfield MA, the daughter of Anthony Romeo (former Lenox Police Chief) and Lorna (Walden) Romeo. Shirley grew up in Lenox, MA. She was the youngest of 5. She graduated from St. Joseph High School in Pittsfield in 1961. She attended Technology college in Albany, NY and received a degree in computers.  She worked at Mead Corporation as a computer programmer in the IBM department where she excelled in her field until she stayed home to take care of her family after meeting the love of her life, Camille C. Bienvenue Jr.  They were introduced by her brother Jesse and Camille's sister Alice who happened to also fall in love. Camille was told that Shirley doesn't keep her dates around beyond two weeks. So he decided to stop dating her at two weeks. She called him and asked why he hadn't called her and he explained what he was told. Well she set him straight, then they went on another date and were together ever since. They were married on New Year’s Eve in 1965.

 Shirley was extremely talented, a perfectionist in everything she took on, and so very modest about her accomplishments. She is leaving behind many beautiful creations.  She loved painting with watercolor and pastels, she studied 35mm photography, she created beautiful gardens and could name most plants, she created cobblestone walkways to cement life size statues, she built a koi pond, she created beautiful quilts and learned to play the piano to mention a few talents. She was also a card shark. She played Pitch and Bridge. Her name was in the paper on a regular basis. She was an avid hiker and one of her special places was McLean Game Refuge in Granby Ct and the trails in Tolland, MA. She had a wonderful group of friends she hiked with regularly. They would travel many distances to find a new trail each time.  If she was not at home she was most likely on a trail enjoying the wildlife where she's met multiple bears face to face.  She had an innate eye for decorating and loved to shop for Antiques. You might have bumped into her at a yard sale or two over the years.  She could give Better Homes and Gardens a run for their money with her creativity in home decor. She was a lover of all animals from horses, cats, dogs, birds, chickens except for her children's reptiles...especially when the snake goes missing in the house.  She loved her many conversations and pots of coffee with her sister Penny. Shirley was known for her not so timely arrivals.  She always kept us waiting. She was even late for the pearly gates to meet her maker.

Shirley loved and dedicated her life to her five children and twelve grandchildren.  She was always watching over them all and teaching or sharing important life information or lessons depending on the situation. Her children learned that wooden spoons weren't just for stirring spaghetti sauce when they misbehaved...which they admit to deserving. She was a staunch health advocate and could tell you the benefits of any healthy trends or holistic remedies. She was passionate about eating healthy and loved her superfoods.  Sometimes a little too passionate....when one mushroom meal became a poisonous suspect and resulted in everyone in the bathroom. She was an encyclopedia for any subject she had an interest in. She was always sharing interesting facts in her attempt to keep her family healthy and safe. Shirley loved to travel and had been to Ireland, Italy and Jerusalem to name a few. She had many more places on her bucket list if time had not been cut short.

Her spirit is survived by her devoted husband of 51 years, Camille C. Bienvenue Jr. her children are Brenda J. (John Farnsworth), Connie R. (Jeff Burke), Spencer C., Timothy W. (Danielle ) and Todd A. (Tisha). She has 12 grandchildren: Alyssa N. Farnsworth, Devin M. Farnsworth, Michelle M. Farnsworth (deceased), Hannah C. Burke, Liam J. Burke, Caden Bienvenue, Kyle Bienvenue, Tyler M. Bienvenue, Dylan T. Bienvenue, Ryder D Bienvenue, Wyatt A Bienvenue, Madison B. Bienvenue. She is survived by her sister Priscilla Costi, brothers: Francis and Joseph Romeo.  Shirley also leaves her beloved nieces, nephews as well as her sister and brothers-in-law and her many friends.  She was predeceased by her parents, Anthony and Lorna Romeo, brother Jesse Romeo, and granddaughter Michelle Farnsworth.

 A special thanks to Bay State Health, especially Jean, Jessica and Tya.  They made her very comfortable through some tough days. Also to Baystate Hospice in her final days ....a special thank you to Tasha, Andrea, Cathy and Kim. A Funeral Home Service will be held on Saturday at 1:30 PM in the Firtion Adams FS, 76 Broad St. Westfield, MA 01085. A visiting hour will precede the service from 12:30-1:30 PM in the funeral home. www.firtionadams.com. In lieu of flowers, donations in Shirley’s name may be directed to the Michelle Farnsworth Scholarship Fund, c/o Brenda Farnsworth, 24 Grove Terrace, Leominster, MA 01453 or online at https://www.michellefarnsworthscholarship.com/donate.

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