Shirley A. Larose

Shirley A. LaRose, former Northampton City Treasurer, died peacefully on November 23, 2023 at the Linda Manor Extended Care facility surrounded by her loving family. Shirley was born in Northampton on July 20, 1935, the daughter of the late Albert and Elizabeth (Bombard) LaRose. She was raised on Walnut Street in Northampton and attended local schools, graduating from Northampton High School in 1953. Following graduation, she took a job at Kresge’s Department Store in Northampton. It was there that a chance encounter with then City Treasurer George Adler would lead her to a summer clerkship in the City Treasurer’s Office. This was the start of Shirley’s forty-three years working in the treasurer’s office, moving from junior Clerk, to senior clerk, to assistant Treasurer. In June 1972, Shirley was appointed City Treasurer by the City Council following the retirement of Treasurer Adler. She was elected to her first term as Treasurer in 1973. She would be re-elected eleven times, only being opposed once. She retired from the Treasurer’s position in January 1998. She continued to serve the city after her retirement, being elected as the employee representative on the City’s Retirement Board. Shirley was very involved in community events and was an active member of the Northampton Quota Club for many years. She was delighted to serve as Queen Winter alongside her “King” David Jackson during the 1985 Northampton Winter Festival. Together they presided over the first Silver Chord Bowl, and judged the city’s Holiday Lighting Contest. Shirley’s Catholic faith was very important to her and she was a very active member of the former Sacred Heart Parish in Northampton, now St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish. She was a member of the Sacred Heart Parish Council, assisted with the CCD program, and participated in many of the talent shows the parish sponsored. She was an active member of the choir at both parishes and would often be seen in the choir loft at mass during her retirement. Retirement allowed Shirley the chance to travel with family and friends to Israel, Greece, Canada, Portugal, and Brazil. She looked forward each week to her Wednesday lunch group, and spending time with her many friends. She was sadly predeceased by her parents, her brother Leroy, her brother Francis and his wife Irene, her sister Mary and her husband George, her nephews Daniel LaRose, James LaRose, Thomas Britt, Robert Britt, Richard Britt, and John Britt, her great-nephew Jason LaRose, and her longtime companion John FitzGerald. She is survived by her loving and devoted niece Kathy LaRose and her son Aaron of Northampton, her devoted god-daughter Mara FitzGerald and the FitzGerald family of Northampton her nephew James Britt and his wife April of Northampton, her niece Beverly Ross of Washington, and several great-great nieces and nephews, and her lifelong friend Jeannette Rossi. The family would like to thank the staff at Linda Manor for the wonderful care they provided Shirley during her time there. CALLING HOURS FOR SHIRLEY WILL BE HELD ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2023 FROM 4:00 TO 6:00 P.M. FAMILY AND FRIENDS WILL GATHER AT THE AHEARN FUNERAL HOME AT 8:45 AM ON WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2023 FOLLOWED BY A LITURGY OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL AT FOR SHIRLEY 10:00AM AT ST. ELIZABETH ANN SETON CHURCH, 99 KING STREET, NORTHAMPTON. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Northampton. Donations in Shirley’s memory may be made to Cooley Dickinson VNA and Hospice, 168 Industrial Dr., Northampton, Ma 01060.