Obituary: Shirley Shove Sisson, 70; Formerly Of West Haven

WEST HAVEN, CT — (From Beecher & Bennett Funeral Home): Shirley Shove Sisson, 70, of Branford, formerly a life-long West Haven resident, passed away on March 30, 2023 at Branford Hills Health Care Center. She was born in New Haven on July 2, 1952, a daughter of the late Norman Russell Shove and Dilys Jean (Orchard) Shove.

Shirley leaves her daughter Jennifer Carney and her husband Steven, son Edwin Danielak and his husband Jason, brother Norman Kenneth Shove and his wife Susan Hathaway, sister Pamela Hunter and her husband Douglas, grandchildren Chase and Dean Carney, her Aunt Dell, and numerous cousins and second cousins.

Shirley graduated from Southern Connecticut State University with a bachelor’s degree in education. A dedicated teacher, she enjoyed teaching elementary school children in the West Haven public school system. She was also active in the United Methodist Church in West Haven and volunteered in the church nursery.

As a life-long resident of West Haven, Shirley loved the seaside and she enjoyed her parents’ cottage in Otis, MA. Shirley also loved animals and had many dogs and cats during her lifetime. Shirley always treasured the holidays, particularly Christmas.

The most important part of Shirley’s life was her family, especially her children, Eddie and Jen. Unlike some families that grow apart, Shirley stayed very close with hers. Shirley was an integral part of any family gathering. When Shirley’s mother was ill in 2013 Shirley was a devoted daughter, spending hours by her mom’s bedside.

Shirley was not blessed with an easy life, diagnosed with bipolar illness four decades ago, but she maintained her independence until 2012, when she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease and Parkinson’s Disease. Despite Shirley’s numerous illnesses she kept a positive attitude. She was known by her family, friends, and caregivers as caring, loving, and sweet-natured.

Everyone that met Shirley remarked on how nice she was! Despite Shirley’s easy-going nature she had a core of strength. This core of strength helped her survive COVID-19 in the beginning of the pandemic, and survive mental illness at a time when it was not talked about openly. Shirley will be missed by her family and remembered as a lovely person that endured.

A funeral service celebrating Shirley’s life will be held on Thursday, April 6 at 10 a.m. at First and Wesley United Methodist Church, 89 Center St., West Haven. Friends are invited to visit with her family before the service from 9:00-10:00 a.m. Interment will be held in Beaverdale Memorial Park.

Memorial contributions in her name may be made to WHEAT of West Haven, 674 Washington Ave., West Haven, CT 06516, www.wheatpantry.org, or the West Haven Animal Shelter, 7 Collis St., West Haven, CT 06516.

For more information and to leave online condolences, visit Beecher & Bennett Funeral Home here.