Shirley Edwards, mother of Edward M. Desousa and Kristine (Desousa) Soares, passed away on Friday, January 3rd, 2025.  Born in Boston, Shirley is the daughter of the late Dolores Ronayne.

Shirley was a strong and tenacious woman.  She endured a tough life but found ways to succeed.  A self-learner, Shirley never met a skill she could not accomplish on her own.  Equipped with this talent, she rose through the ranks of Hotel Management, most notably the Royal Sonesta, and found herself traveling the world, teaching large groups of staff how to properly represent the company.

Shirley had a deep love for music and theater.  She loved to sing and was involved in the local community theater in Haverhill, where she produced many plays and musicals.  A lover of animals, especially her yellow lab, Phoebe and Angel.

Shirley had a deep faith and was a believer in guardian angels.  She would often look for signs, which she found everywhere.  Shirley greatly loved her grandchildren.

Shirley leaves behind her children: Edward M. DeSousa and his fiancé Katie Elizabeth of North Reading, and Kristine (DeSousa) and her husband Marc of Salisbury; grandchildren Ashley, Lucia, Noah and Matthew Xavier; Siblings: Ronnie and his daughters (nieces) Demi and Dominique and granddaughter (great niece) Violet; and the late siblings Geri, Edward and Michael.  Shirley also leaves behind former spouses Edward X. DeSousa and Steven Lutkevich.

Services for Shirley will be held privately.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Shirley's memory to Catie's Closet, https://www.catiescloset.org/donate/ or to the MSPCA, MSPCA Donation Request