Obituary of Shirley Ann Burdzy

South Hadley—Shirley Ann (Schoen) Burdzy, 84, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on June 24, 2020 at her daughter’s home in Sutton, MA. Shirley was the daughter of the late Elmer and Florence (Brodfuehrer) Schoen, she was born in Buffalo, NY on March 22, 1936. Shirley (Shirl) was a devout wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She had a heart of gold and a spirit of giving. She was an active member of St. Patrick’s Church in South Hadley and the Women’s Guild. She was a faithful Eucharistic minister as well as volunteer of many years at Holyoke Hospital. She was active at the Senior Center in South Hadley. She enjoyed her bowling league, playing cards, reading, swimming, and an occasional visit to the casino. She never missed an opportunity to attend a party or celebration. Shirley loved to craft, knit, sew, build and was joyful to discuss her latest project. She was especially proud of the handmade ceramic dolls and dollhouses she meticulously crafted. Her sense of adventure always had her calendar booked with travel plans. Helicopter rides over volcanoes in Hawaii, and exploring the Grand Canyon, Texas, Amish Country and Maine. She especially enjoyed recent travels with her granddaughter Kristin to the Netherlands, Hungary, Austria and Germany. Shirley will be dearly missed by all who knew her, including her loving children, Joseph Burdzy III of Edgewater, FL, Mark Burdzy and Mary Hennessey of Belchertown, MA, Matt Burdzy and his wife Leslie of South Windsor, CT, and Cheryl Hamel and her husband Jeffrey of Sutton, MA; her grandchildren, Kristin, Nicholas, Mark Jr, Christina, Sean, Janel, Aimee, Derrick, and Joel; her great grandchildren Sophia, Lila, Anthony Jr., Gabriel, Megan, Adrian, Jacob, and Ariya; her sister-in-law Janet Annibal and husband Al of NJ, her brother-in-law Ted Tencza and his daughter, Lynn of CT; as well as many nieces and nephews in Sarasota, FL and many other extended family members and friends. In addition to her parents, she is predeceased by her loving husband Joseph Burdzy Jr. and her two siblings, Joyce Peterson and Michael Schoen. A memorial mass will be held on Thursday, July 2^nd, beginning at 10am in St. Patrick’s Church, 30 Main Street, South Hadley, MA. In compliance with local and church requirements, we kindly would like to remind you that masks are required by all attendees throughout the duration of services. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family. Beers & Story Funeral Home entrusted with Shirley’s arrangements. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Council on Aging, 9 East Parkview Dr. South Hadley, MA 01075. Checks can be made out to: Friends of South Hadley Seniors. Online donations can be made to Western Mass Elder Care, Nutrition program (Meals on Wheels) at https://www.wmeldercare.org/donate-now/. The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the doctors and nurses that gave Shirley compassionate care, Holyoke Hospice and Beacon Hospice. For more information, please visit www.beersandstory.com.