Obituary of Shirley Marie Ackley

Shirley Marie Ackley, 87, wife of the late Arnold R. Ackley, lost her battle with COVID-19 at Holyoke Medical Center on April 22, 2020. Shirley was born on April 25, 1932 in Westfield, daughter to the late John and Eleanor (Vyska) Starzyk. She was a lifelong resident of Blandford and later moved to Granby MA. She worked for Old Colony Envelope in the Box Department for many years before her retirement. Shirley had an infectious laugh and a great smile. She loved flowers and working in her flower gardens, dancing, taking walks, the ocean and most definitely her sweets. She enjoyed life and was always on the go some of us called her the “Energizer Bunny”. One of her biggest joys was spending time with her family. She was always running around with a camera taking pictures during family gatherings. She is survived by her daughter, Helen Condino of Chicopee; She will be dearly missed by her granddaughter Fae Snyder and husband Mark Snyder of Myrtle Beach SC; granddaughter Michele Condino-Ledoux and husband Sean Ledoux of West Springfield; grandson Ronald Condino and wife Kimberly Condino of South Hadley; 5 great grandchildren: Kyle, Ryan, Connor, Alexander, Cameron; sister Eleanor Gonzales of Westfield; sister Maryann Champagne of Westfield; her brother Donald Starzyk and his wife Marilyn of Westfield; Diane Rood and her husband Charles of Southwick; Shirley was preceded in death by her brother, Richard Starzyk; and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and even great great nieces and nephews. Grief never ends... but it changes. It’s a passage, not a place to stay. Grief is not a sign of weakness, nor a lack of faith...It is the price of love.  At Shirley’s request, no services will be held. We all know how much Shirley loved flowers, so all who wish to honor her life are invited to plant some flowers at their home.