FRANKLIN ---- Karen Nina Shirley (née Butterfield), passed away peacefully at the young age of 72, on Saturday, January 4, 2025, following a battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.
Karen was born and raised in New Hampshire. She followed the cows to Iowa, where she pursued a degree in Physical Education; upon graduating from Upper Iowa University, she returned to New Hampshire to begin teaching.
Her commitment to teaching left a lasting impression on her students and those who worked closely with her. She always put others first and was invested in helping others.
As a mother, she was not only famous for her cookies, brownies and zucchini bread, but most importantly, her hard-work and self-sacrifice for her children.
Karen was an avid reader, loved doing puzzles of any kind, enjoyed walking along Winnipesaukee and cherished time with her grandsons.
Karen is survived by her son Justin Shirley and daughter-in-law, Alexis Shirley of Gilmanton, NH, her daughter Kendra Glettig and son-in-law, Dean Glettig of Somerville, MA, grandsons Jaxon and Ryder Shirley and Oliver and Philip Glettig; sisters Pamela Weinhold, Nancy Bolduc, Janet Martinez, and brother William Butterfield. She is predeceased by her beloved parents, Donald and Pauline Butterfield of Loudon, NH.
A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Sunday, January 26, 2025, at 1:00pm, at Gilford Community Church, 19 Potter Hill Road, Gilford, NH 03249. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Karen’s life.
For those who wish, please send donations to Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011, or by phone 800-272-3900.
The family would like to send a heartfelt “thank you” to all Peabody Place staff, specifically in the Memory Care Unit, for their amazing care over the last year.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, NH, 03246, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, please visit wilkinsonbeane.com.