Shirley K. (Fleming) Harding

Shirley K. (Fleming) Harding

On Tuesday August 3, 2021, age 86, passed away after a long battle with dementia. She was, predeceased by her parents William & Ethel Fleming, her loving husband John (Jack) B. Harding and her two sons Jackie and Tommy. She is survived by her daughter Debra DeCosta, her husband Dana of Harwich, two grandchildren, Billman DeCosta and his wife Rosalie of Plymouth and Michael DeCosta and his partner Daniela Kretchmer of Malden. She was predeceased by her brother William Fleming and sister Doris Kilmonis. Also surviving is her loving brother Richard Fleming and his wife Diane of Easthampton, MA, several nieces, nephews and godchildren. A special thanks to the wonderful staff in the memory care unit at Maplewood in Brewster, MA who took special care of Shirley in her most difficult days.

Shirley was born on July 19, 1935, attended Saint Clements in Medford, MA and married Jack October 23, 1955. They started their married life in Somerville, MA. Shirley worked for a telephone company as a switchboard operator. They relocated to Concord, MA in 1960, where she worked for the US census bureau, substituted in the school system as a secretary. For over 20 years, she worked in Administration at Emerson Hospital in Concord, MA starting at the switchboard and working her way up to the manager of the Data Processing Department. In 1985, she and Jack relocated to their summer home in West Harwich, MA where they owned and operated The Pleasant Trowel Garden Center in West Harwich for 18 years prior to retirement. Shirley had a passion for knitting. She participated with the Knit Lit group at Brooks Free Library and enjoyed helping others learn to knit. She also loved to read books and enjoyed going out to eat with family and friends. One of her favorite things was to knit by the pool in Deerfield Beach FL with her winter crew. She was a people person known for wanting to have a gang around. She was always kind and compassionate to others.

Funeral from the Salvatore Rocco & Sons Funeral Home, 331 Main Street, Everett on Thursday, August 12. Visiting hour will be held from 10:00 to 11:00 am. A Prayer Service will immediately follow in the funeral home at 11:00 am. Interment will be in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, 70 Medford Street, Arlington at 12:00 pm (noon). Donations in Shirley’s memory may be made to The Family Pantry of Cape Cod, 133 Queen Anne Rd, Harwich, MA 02645.

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