Shirley Belle Adams

There is never a good time to say goodbye.  Whether we know death is approaching or the loss is very close to you, it takes your breath away.  Shirley Adams passed away on September 3, 2024 in Avon, CT after a long struggle with Alzheimer's.  She just turned 98 years of age this past June. She was truly an amazing lady, wonderful mother and friend to all. Her warm smile and kind heart touched so many lives and everyone who met her loved her.

Shirley was born in Hartford in 1926 on Barbor St, and lived a life surrounded by her loving children, family, and friends whom all knew her gentleness and pleasant smile.  Shirley was very close to and lived with her mother Maude Foster (Chamberlin) from Orford, NH.  Over the years, we made many summer trips north to the Sanborn family dairy farm.  When Shirley was a teenager, she learned square dancing in Orford.

Shirley is survived by her children and spouses: Raymond and Patricia Carpenter, Peter and Diane Carpenter, Suzanne Carpenter and Bob Riccuiti, James Carpenter and June Kaminski and Philip and Chris Carpenter; Grandchildren Raymond Carpenter Jr, Barry Carpenter, Jeffrey Carpenter, Eric Carpenter, Michael and Ines Carpenter, Jonathan Chace, Cole Carpenter, Kira Carpenter; and Great Grandchild Tommy and Lisa Carpenter; and Great Great Grandchild Deven Carpenter.

Circa 1950 the family had moved to Windsor, CT. We rented this very primitive but full of joy cottage, built in the 1800s on an island in Athol, MA.  We had such a great time that we ended up buying it.  Shirley was not at all an outdoors person, so she must have made enormous sacrifices for the family to live there alone with five kids all summer, with only an outhouse, no running water, big wood stove, accessible only by small boat, and lacked many other amenities common today.  All of us became good swimmers, and Ray snorkeled over the whole lake.  We learned about the freedom of exploring the outdoors.  What a very special and loving mother we had.

When the children were older, the family moved to Farmington, CT.  Shirley worked at G. Fox in downtown Hartford on the mezzanine in the watch repair department. Years later her son James came to work with her repairing watches. Shirley worked at Travelers Insurance in Hartford for many years, as did her daughter Suzanne. Together they made some amazing life-long friendships, went on fabulous trips together, and enjoyed the annual Traveler’s sponsored bus trips to Lancaster, PA for Christmas shopping. In more recent years, Christine & Kira Carpenter joined in on the shopping trips and those memories will always be close to our hearts. Sue & Nanny built strong bonds with their work buddies and have so many wonderful memories from these trips.

Shirley loved animals and was a devoted and loving cat owner for many years, always providing her furry friends with a comfy lap, lots of gentle pets and always a warm blanket. She also had a fondness for feeding the birds, especially the cardinals, and sometimes the local raccoons and black bears too.

Shirley enjoyed the shows at the Bushnell very much and held season tickets.  Later she worked as a volunteer for the shows as an usher.  All that had worked with her, were proud to have known her.  After retiring, her barn dancing came alive again in Line Dancing classes in Farmington.  Tried to talk her into cowboy boots and hat, but not a chance.  She never wore any hats. 

Shirley loved to travel. She enjoyed visiting friends in Stone Harbor, NJ for many summers with Phil and his family, vacationing in Florida with Pete & Diane, sailing with Ray & Patty, beach time with Sue, Jon, and Toots & Bill Carpenter in Misquamicut, summer rentals in Old Saybrook, annual family time at Lake Pocotopaug, backyard cookouts and more. She loved line-dancing and country music, big band music, Cirque de Soleil, Lenny & Joe’s seafood, Chowder Pot, and shared good times with so many dear friends throughout her life.  

Shirley truly lived a very long, happy and fulfilling life surrounded by her loving children, grandchildren, friends, and pets who had the special pleasure of knowing this truly remarkable, caring, gentle woman with such a pleasant smile. We will all miss her dearly and we will hold her in our hearts forever. Thank you to everyone for sharing in this special day with us, as we celebrate and honor the life of Shirley Belle. May you rest in eternal peace. All our love always!