Shirley (Clarke) Halben, 88, of Penbryn Avenue, Smithfield, died peacefully on Saturday, October 24, 2015 surrounded by her family. She was the wife of the late William H. Halben. They had been married for 62 years.
Born in East Providence, she was the daughter of the late Merrill T. and Stella (Burlingame) Clarke. She had lived in Smithfield for 46 years, previously living in Carpentersville, IL, and Providence, RI.
She had worked for the former AAI in North Providence before retiring. She was a devoted wife and mother. She loved being with her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed baseball, listening to music, doing crosswords, and playing cards.
She is survived by her children, Dr. Stephen W. Halben of Smithfield, Patricia A. Costa of Smithfield, Barbara J. Norton of Glocester, Kathryn G. Young of Smithfield, Robert M. Halben of Attleboro, MA, Nancy D. Monfils of Smithfield, and Judith I. Sollecito of Glocester, and 14 grandchildren. She was the mother of the late Richard E. Halben and sister of the late Merritt and Arnold Clarke.
Her funeral service will be held Thursday at 10am in the ANDERSON-WINFIELD Funeral Home, Route 44 at Greenville Common, Greenville. Visitation Wednesday 4-7pm. Burial will be in St. Ann’s Cemetery, Cranston. In lieu of flowers donations in her memory may be made to Home & Hospice Care of RI, 1085 North Main Street, Providence, RI 02904.