Shirley Bedell Lanzilli, 88, of Medford, passed away on July 12, 2026. Born in Medford, Shirley lived her entire life in the town she loved, Medford.
She was the beloved wife of the cherished late Albert L. Lanzilli, Jr. She was predeceased by
her incredible parents, Kenneth and Helen Landry Bedell, and her loving brother, Walter
Bedell.
Shirley is survived by her three children: Renée Lanzilli Serrano and her husband, Anthony
Serrano; Albert L. Lanzilli III and his wife, Therese McLaughlin Lanzilli; and Kenneth J.
Lanzilli and his wife, Donna Mignosa Lanzilli.
She was the cherished grandmother of Ashleigh Serrano Erturk and her husband, Erol
Erturk; Anthony “AJ” Serrano; Nicholas Lanzilli and his wife, Samantha; Kristi Lanzilli;
Alexander “Bubba” Serrano and his wife, Ellen Heartlein; Victoria Lanzilli Maganzini, and
her husband Andrew Manganzini; Brittani Lanzilli; Cameron Lanzilli; Kayli Lanzilli; and
Christopher Lanzilli.
She was also the loving great-grandmother of Rory Erturk, Reagan Erturk, Josephine
Serrano, Lucia Lanzilli, and Lucas Lanzilli.
Shirley devoted herself to her husband and children, filling their childhoods with love and
magic. She adored cooking and baking and bringing together her extended family for
holidays and celebrations, and found joy in ceramics and in traveling, exploring the country
with Big Al by her side, along with trips to Alaska, Hawaii, Europe, and China.
But more than anything, Shirley adored her family, and it was for them that she saved her
deepest devotion.
She was known for an infectious smile that could warm anyone’s heart, and for a rare gift of
making strangers feel welcomed, seen, and appreciated the moment she met them. She loved
babies, the chubbier the better (look at those chubby cheeks!), and animals seemed to find
her instinctively. She often said that horses would look deep into her eyes, and that in that
moment, they simply connected. Her laughter and her giggles won everyone over, often
bringing happy tears along with them.
Shirley was an extraordinarily giving, loving, caring, and kind human being, and all who knew
her are better for it.
Relatives and friends are kindly invited to gather at St. Raphael Church, 512 High Street, Medford, on Wednesday, July 15th to celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial for Shirley at 9:30 AM. Services will conclude with burial at Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford.
In honor of our mother: Laugh a little louder. Giggle a little harder. Love always deeper. Love more. Love everything. Embrace life and enjoy it. Spread joy and love to everyone you meet. Give a stranger a smile. And as mom always said to everyone she loved, “I love you better.”
Our mother was warmth.
She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.