Shirley L. (Meuse) Sawin

Shirley L. Sawin Athol – Shirley L. Sawin, 86, of 3965 South Athol Road, died Thursday, December 1, 2011 at the Quabbin Valley Healthcare.      Shirley was born in Athol, Massachusetts on October 13, 1925, the daughter of Harry C. and Myrtle J. (Burnham) Meuse and was one of nine children. She grew up in Warwick and South Athol, attended New Salem Academy and has resided in Athol most of her life.        She served as treasurer for the Morgan Memorial Fresh Air Camps for many years and was a member of the North New Salem Congregational Church.  She and her husband had a prayer group in their home for more than 30 years.  Shirley enjoyed going to flea markets which she and her husband did for over 30 years and collecting antiques.  She was Past Commander for the D.A.V. Auxiliary.  The highlight of Shirley’s life was spending time with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and her many friends.      Her husband of 49 years, Clifford Sawin, Jr. died in 1991.  She leaves two daughters; Janet Matthews of Athol and Jean Johnson and her husband Norman of Orange; two sons, James L. “Butch” Sawin and his wife Noel and Jesse Sawin and his wife Mary, both of Athol; eight grandchildren, Ronnie and Rusty Matthews, Amy Boudreau, Wayne Hurlburt, Eunice Parsons, Eric Sawin, Jim Sawin and Kelly Czarnecki; several great-grandchildren and several great great-grandchildren.  She also leaves two brothers, Paul Meuse and his wife Gloria and Richard Meuse, both of Athol; two brother-in-laws, Roy Sawin and his wife Terry of Athol and Leon Sawin and his wife Shirley of Littleton and many nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by three sisters, Betty, Mary and Edith and three brothers, Bob, Tom and Harry, Jr., a grandson, Robbie Matthews, a granddaughter, Terry Jones and a daughter-in-law Lois Sawin.      Funeral services will be held Wednesday, December 7, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. at the North New Salem Congregational Church, Elm Street, New Salem, MA with the Rev. Edward Boren, pastor officiating.  Burial will follow at South Cemetery in Orange.  There are no calling hours and in lieu of flowers the family suggests those wishing to make a donation to the Quabbin Valley Healthcare, Alzheimer’s and Cancer Funds, 821 Daniel Shays Highway, Athol, MA  01331.      Higgins-O’Connor Funeral Home, 146 Main Street, Athol is directing the arrangements.  For further information or to share a memory with the family go to: www.higginsoconnorfuneralhome.com. $(document).ready(function(){ });