Shirley Mae Wilber Ficco passed away unexpectedly at the age of 84 on April 4th, 2023 at Metrowest Medical Center surrounded by her loving family. In addition to being a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, she was a woman that never complained; even after going through breast cancer and ovarian cancer. Shirley was also on the right track to beating stage four kidney disease, she truly was the best of the best.
Shirley was born in Norwood, MA on January 1st, 1939 to the late Howard F. Wilber and her stepmother Elva (Ledford) Wilber whom she considered her mother. Shirley married the love of her life, James F. Ficco, on December 30th, 1957. They had been married for 65 years.
Shirley was raised in Foxboro, MA up to her teen years, she then moved with her mother and father to Franklin in 1956 where she met Jim. Shirley went through the Foxboro school system, class of 1956.
Shirley’s last place of employment was at the Serenity Hill Nursing Home in Wrentham MA, where she received several appreciation certificates for her exemplary work ethic. Shirley became a member of the Quattro Eroi Lodge, Order Sons of Italy in America on the 29th day of April 1976, along with Jim. Shirley served on the board of trustees and as a guard during her time in the lodge. She was also one of the pioneers of the Fried Dough Booth at Franklin’s Fourth of July Celebration on the Common.
Shirley attended many Sons of Italy conventions in Upstate New York, New Hampshire, and Boston with Jim. Shirley transferred from the Franklin Lodge to the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts as a member at large where she became a life member. A true supporter of the order. On another note, Shirley along with several other hard-working members volunteered in the Fried Dough Booth at the Feast of St. Rocco for many years. Shirley was also a member of the former Franklin Emblem Club.
Shirley and Jim loved traveling throughout the New England States, to North Carolina, Florida, California, Arizona, Cape Cod, Hawaii, as well as Niagara Falls and Prince Edward Island. Shirley enjoyed spending time with her Grandson Major Christopher Palumbo, US Army, and his beautiful wife Missy, and Daughter Milani of Lancaster PA as well as her youngest Grandson Captain Cory Palumbo, US Army, and his new wife of two months Stephanie, Miami FL. Shirley was very proud of her grandsons who were not only US Army Officers but also in their youth both achieved the Boy Scout rank of Eagle Scout.
Shirley was predeceased by her sister Beverly and brother-in-law Charles Kell. In addition to Christopher and Cory, she is survived by her sister Nancy Barrea, Anthem Arizona.
She is also survived by her children, Christine Marie and Lt. Col USA, RET. Marco Palumbo of North Carolina; Marcia Ann Ficco of Bellingham; James Ficco Jr., and his companion Carol Munroe, Medway.
She was also the grandmother to her late grandsons Joshua and Jeffrey Palumbo who left us prematurely but are never forgotten. We cannot forget her latest fur babies that left us, her husky Boz, and Henry our little tuxedo feline.
She also leaves several nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly.
Her funeral service will be held on Tuesday, April 11 in the Ginley Funeral Home of Franklin (www.ginleyfuneralhomes.com) 131 Main Street, Franklin at 3:00p.m.
Private burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Franklin.
Calling hours will be on Tuesday from 1:00-3:00 p.m. in the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made in her memory to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute 450 Brookline Ave. Boston, MA 02215.