Shirley M. (Rhodes) Hartley, 90, of Rochester died May 18, 2018. She was exactly where she wanted to be, at home and surrounded by her family.
She was a lifelong resident of Rochester, a graduate of the Waterman School, Wareham High School and St. Luke’s Hospital, School of Nursing. She was married to the late Greenwood "Sonny" Hartley, Jr, for over 63 years. She was the daughter of the late Walter E. and Anna (Olivier) Rhodes and sister to late Walter E. Rhodes, Jr.
Shirley was a member of the First Congregational Church of Rochester, the Old Rochester Regional School Committee, the Rochester Women’s Club and Rochester COA, where she often volunteered. She was active her entire life, most of the time standing side by side with Sonny, bowling, helping at the bogs, reading the newspaper or a book, travelling with friends, being that steady hand that guided us all. She was always current in both national and local news and kept up with all the events of her large family following their activities with great interest and pride. Her home was the focal point in our family neighborhood.
She was a Registered Nurse, first in the maternity ward at Tobey Hospital, then at Rochester Memorial School and with the Visiting Nurse Association of Marion.
Survivors include her 3 children, Greenwood "Woody" Hartley, III and his wife Sharon, Marsha Ann Hartley, Walter Rhodes Hartley and his wife Sheldon L., all of Rochester; 7 grandchildren, Scott Greenwood Hartley, Amy Hartley-Matteson, Sarah Jane Cecil, Morgan Lee Cecil, Walter R. Hartley, Jr., Jon A. Hartley and Katherine A. Hartley; 17 great-grandchildren; 2 nephews, Raymond Hartley and Andrew Hartley and a niece, Heather Hartley-O'Shaughnessy.
Her Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, June 9th at 2PM at the First Congregational Church of Rochester. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Shirley’s name to your favorite charity. Arrangements are with the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Road, Rt. 6, Mattapoisett.