Shirley Gentry

Biography

MONSON - Shirley R. Gentry, 90, formerly of West Springfield and Westfield, passed away at home surrounded by her family on August 27, 2012. Born in Westfield, the daughter of Charles W. and Eva F. Root, she was a graduate of Westfield High School in 1940. She attended American International College and the former Northampton Commercial College. Shirley was a proud veteran of World War II and was a member of the US Marine Corps Women's Reserve. As a member of the Mittineague Congregational Church in West Springfield, she was active in the church school and on many church boards. As a member of Mercy Warren Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution, she served as chapter Regent and the Massachusetts DAR as its State Registrar. Shirley was also a member of the Women Marines Association, the Peg Parda Chapter MA-2, serving as its Secretary and as its Chaplain. Shirley is also a former member of Post 463 American Legion in Palmer, MA. After eighteen years as a Ward Secretary, she retired from Baystate Medical Center. She is predeceased by her husband Lewis M. Gentry, sons Charles L. Gentry, Warren L. Gentry and her brother Lyman F. Root. She is survived by two daughters, Beverly Gentry-Wasielewski and her husband James with whom she lived with in Monson, and by Deborah Manning and her husband David of Three Rivers, MA, a son David and his wife Ann of Liverpool, New York, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She also leaves her sister-in-law Joan M. Root of Brunswick, ME, her cousin Donald Munson and his wife Ruth of New York, her daughter-in-law Priscilla Renahan of Toronto, Ontario and her treasured friend and Certified Nursing Assistant, Jennifer Leeman of Personal Touch Home Care.

Family and friends are invited for visitation at Lombard Funeral Home, 3 Bridge Street, Monson, MA on Saturday, September 1st from 10 am to 11 am, followed by a service with military honors at 11 am.

A Celebration of Life gathering will be held at the Monson Veterans Memorial Hall, 110 Main St, Monson, MA from 12:30-3:00.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Monson Council on Aging Main St. Monson, MA 01057, Wing Memorial VNA/Hospice 42 Wright St. Palmer, MA 01069, the Homebased Primary Care Dept of Veterans Affairs 421 North Main St. Leeds, MA 01053, or Mittineague Congregational Church 1840 Westfield St West Springfield, MA 01089.