Shirley Hazel Parker

Shirley Hazel (Gardner) Parker, 89, of North Attleborough, died peacefully at home on Monday, November 16, 2015, surrounded by her beloved family. She was the daughter of the late Howard N. Gardner, Sr. and Loretta R. (Gosselin) Gardner. Born in Meriden, CT on May 6, 1926, Mrs. Parker grew up and spent most of her life in North Attleborough, where she attended North Attleborough schools, but also lived for a time in Newport, Rhode Island, and for nine years in Buzzards Bay, MA. She enjoyed bowling, riding her bike on the Cape Cod Canal, watching golf (especially her favorite player, Tiger Woods), singing in the St. Mary's Parish choir, socializing with her friends at the Elm Terrace senior citizen housing, taking care of her daughter Susan's dogs: "Lexi", "Pumpkin", and the late "Madison" and Jasmine"; gardening, flowers, and attending sporting events, especially those in which her children and grandchildren were playing. She was employed for many years at the Evans Case Company in Plainville, at The Ems Bed and Breakfast in Cape Cod, and also worked as a school bus driver in Mansfield, and on the staff at Howard Johnson's, as well as the former A'Rann Motor Inn in North Attleborough. Into her Seventy's she worked as a newspaper carrier for The Sun Chronicle, and was known among her customers for taking the utmost pride in her work. Mrs. Parker was known to be devoted to her extensive family, and is survived by three children: James L. Parker and his companion, Jennifer Desilets, of Attleboro, MA; Susan A. McGowan and her husband, Timothy McGowan, of North Attleborough, MA; and Donna M. Johnson and her husband, Thomas Johnson, of North Attleborough, MA. She was predeceased by two sons: James "Little Jimmy" Parker, who passed on in his infancy; and Louis "Louie" F. Parker; by her brother, Howard "Buddy" Gardner, Jr; by her sister, Phyllis (Gardner) Bryson; and by her great-grandson Nathan Parker. She is also survived by her sister, Marie (Gardner) Charron of Plainville, MA, as well as thirteen grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, her dear and best friend, Ann Marie Johnson, and many other cherished friends. Family and friends are cordially invited to attend a Visitation on Thursday, November 19, 2015 from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. in the "Memorial Chapel" of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home - the national historic Colonel Obed Robinson Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue (exit 5 off I-95 N or S, go right, mile on the left), Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend a Funeral Service immediately following visitation on Thursday, November 19, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. in the "Memorial Chapel" of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home. Burial services will be held privately at a later date in St. Mary's Cemetery, Towne Street, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. Children's room is available during visitation and funeral service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Mrs. Parker's name may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or to benefit animals in need. For additional information or to send the family a written expression of sympathy, please visit an online guestbook at www.dyer-lakefuneralhome.com Arrangements are under the direction of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. (508) 695-0200