Shirley Carolyn (D’Ambroise) Desmarais, age 90, passed away peacefully in her Derry, NH home on August 17, 2023, surrounded by her loving family. During her long term illness, she was lovingly cared for by her daughters, Michelle Desmarais and Marisa Desmarais, who resided with her. Shirley was born and grew up in Lowell, MA and graduated from Lowell High School in 1950. She was a devoted elder sister to Sylvia Bailey, of Hudson, NH; Robert D’Ambroise and wife, Patty of Hudson, NH and Joyce Parent of Pelham, NH.
She married her high school sweetheart, Arthur Desmarais, whom she loved deeply for 62 years until his death in 2013. After moving to Londonderry, NH in 1965, Shirley, an expert seamstress, opened a bridal business, Shirley’s Bridal Shoppe on Griffin Road. As a real estate broker, she became associated with Tinkham Realty and Berkshire Hathaway both in Londonderry. She earned many awards for her expertise. Shirley spent many years with her daughter, Valerie and her husband, Gregory Caruso, in their home and was a devoted “Meme” to Gemma Caruso, of Londonderry, NH; Olivia Caruso, of Boston, MA and Quentin Caruso, of Dover, NH. She was greatly admired and appreciated by her many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews for her kindness and love.
Shirley studied and loved music and was a classical pianist. In her leisure, she enjoyed the beaches of New Hampshire, Cape Cod, and Florida, collecting antiques, home decorating and fashion, horses, and all family gatherings. She was a communicant of St. Jude Parish Community, Londonderry, NH where she was an active member of St. Jude Seniors. She also attended St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Derry. Shirley was a proud and optimistic woman who lived the meaning of “Joie de Vivre”.
Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, August 23, 2023 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Peabody Funeral Homes & Crematorium, 290 Mammoth Rd., Londonderry, NH. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, 26 Crystal Ave., Derry, NH at 10:00 am on Thursday, August 24, 2023. Burial following at Pillsbury Cemetery, Hovey Road, Londonderry, NH.