SHNAPIER - Shirley (Gershon) died peacefully in her sleep at the age of 81, the morning of March 21st at the Windsor Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in South Yarmouth.

Shirley was born in St. Louis, Missouri, the middle of three sisters, to immigrant parents, the late Ben and Rose (Feigenbaum) Gershon. At the age of 22, and after marrying Philip Shnapier, she moved to Queens, New York, where they raised their daughter, Laurie. While in New York, she made many life-long friends, was embraced by family and she truly thought of New York as home.

Laurie later moved to Cape Cod, and in 2009 Shirley relocated from Queens to the Cape. She eventually settled at the Windsor Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Shirley will be remembered for her charm, sense of humor, strength, independence, generosity and being the life of any party. She made friends everywhere she went. She loved spending time with her family and could often be found surrounded by her huge network of friends, extended family, and people who loved her. Although she battled chronic illnesses most of her life, she was a tough cookie; cracking jokes, laughing, (and cursing!) right to the end. She was a loving mother, sister, aunt, cousin, grandmother and friend. Overall, a person who won’t soon be forgotten.

She is survived by her daughter, Laurie Blake, two granddaughters, Leila and Kara Blake, her younger sister, Joy Liss, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, and friends. In addition to her husband and parents, she was predeceased by her older sister, Adele Kurz.

A special thank you is extended to the staff at Windsor Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for their care, kindness, and support provided to Shirley. Thank you to the Hope Hospice compassionate team in her final days.

Memorial donations may be made to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America, National Processing Center Attn: Honor and Memorial Gifts, P.O. Box1245, Albert Lea, MN 56007 www.ccfa.org.

A memorial service will be announced at a later date.