Skip to main content

The Moose: 101.3 FM, 99.3 FM ● The Blizzard: 105.9 FM, 103.9 FM, 98.3 FM ● Payment

Shirley Joan (Connelly) White

Published on May 10, 2023
Shirley Joan (Connelly) White, age 92, passed away peacefully on April 29th, 2023 at Crouse Community Center in Morrisville, NY (formerly a long-time resident of Boonville NY).  Shirley was born in Ennismore, Ontario Canada on June 12th, 1930, the youngest of seven children to Harry and Lillian (Hickey) Connelly.  She graduated high school in 1948 from St. Peters in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. Following high school, she attended St. Joseph School of Nursing, Hotel Dieu Hospital in Kingston, Ontario, Canada, proudly graduating as an RN on August 20th, 1952.  Upon graduation, Shirley, along with her best friend Jean Spink, traveled to the United States as nurses working at various hospitals in both Florida and Texas. While in Texas, she met her future husband, Robert C. White, who was stationed at Fort Hood.

Shirley and Robert married on November 5th, 1960, and together they had four children Eric, Andy, Matt and Sara. The family lived in Watertown and N. Syracuse, NY before settling in Boonville, NY in 1969 where Robert joined the surveying business of LaFave & Huntley, known today as LaFave, White & McGivern.  While raising a family in Boonville, Shirley worked as an RN at Sunset Rehabilitation and Nursing Home for 20 years, retiring in 1992. While working at Sunset, she forged many friendships which carried over into her retirement years.  After retirement, Shirley was a hospice volunteer for 10 years.

Shirley was predeceased by her husband Robert (August 9th, 2021), her only sister Helen (Connelly) Doris, and five brothers:  Jim, Jack, Gerard (Gerry), Clare, and Frank Connelly. She is survived by her four children:  Eric (Cherylee) White of Larkspur, Colorado, Andrew (Camille) White of Vienna, New York, Matthew (Wendy) White of Canastota, NY and Sara Stallworth of Middle River, Maryland; ten grandchildren; two great-grandchildren along with several nieces and nephews.

Per Shirley's wishes, there will be no visitation; a private Mass of Christian Burial will be held with family at St. Martin Catholic Church, 7108 North Street, Port Leyden, NY at a later date.

Memorial Donations on Shirley's behalf can be made to a charity of your choice or to St. Martin Catholic Church, 7108 North Street, Port Leyden, NY 13433. Mills Funeral Home, Boonville is entrusted with the arrangements. For an online message of sympathy please go to www.millsfuneralhomes.com.