Shirley Elizabeth (Houlihan) Clift, 93 of Westerly, RI, previously residing in Smithfield for many years, passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 28, 2024, in the comfort of her children at the Westerly Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center in Westerly, RI.
Shirley was born in Providence and was the daughter of the late George and Marie (Pelletier) Houlihan. She was predeceased by her loving husband of fifty-three years, Robert F. Clift. She worked for many years at Bank of America, first as a bank teller and then later as a wire transfer specialist until her retirement.
One of her many passions was sewing and could make anything from simple dresses to beautiful curtains. Always ready to go, she loved to travel and experience new and adventurous excursions. Shirley had a zest for adventure and enjoyed meeting new people and always making new friends along the way. She adored her children and grandchildren and was always excited to hear about their endeavors and achievements.
Shirley lived a great life and was loved by many. She will be remembered for her patience, straightforwardness, kindness, calming personality, quick wit, and humor. She will be greatly missed and our memories of her will always be cherished.
She leaves her four children, Kathleen (Clift) Bergeron, Robert Clift, his wife, Erin Sheridan, John Clift, and Kenneth Clift. She had six grandchildren, and five great- grandchildren. She was the sister of the late Doris (Houlihan) Gill and the late Jean (Houlihan) Clift.
The family would like to thank the staff at Anchor Bay at Pocasset, Johnston, RI, Westerly Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center, Westerly, RI and Athena and Harmony Hospice of Rhode Island for their care and support they provided to Shirley.
Her funeral will be held on Tuesday, December 3rd at 9:30am from the Anderson-Winfield Funeral Home, Route 44 at Greenville Common, Greenville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10am in St. Michael’s Church, 80 Farnum Pike, Smithfield. Her burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 550 Wampanoag Trail, East Providence. Her visitation will be Tuesday, December 3rd from 8am to 9:30am. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Dementia Society of America.