Shelto, Shirley J (Parent)

Shirley Jacqueline (Parent) Shelto, 74, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 12, 2021 while under Hospice care in Colchester CT. Born December 17, 1946 in Van Buren, ME to Germaine (LaBonte) and Joseph Parent. Her parents moved to Hartford CT in the 1950's where she graduated from Bulkeley High School in 1965. Her corporate data processing career spanned insurance (Aetna Ins/CIGNA), retail (Ames Dept Stores), government (Charlotte County Court, FL and Assessors, Town of Manchester, CT). Shirley married Frank P. Shelto, a WWII Navy Veteran and moved to Colchester. Frank took an early retirement and they moved to Venice, Florida where they lived for 15 years. After returning to CT, Frank died in 2004 and Shirley moved back to Colchester, living at her sister Cheryl's home. While there, she had a stroke which affected her ability to drive. Cheryl encouraged her to stay independent after which Shirley became active within the Senior Center community in Town; eventually moving into her own senior apt. Shirley was predeceased by her parents and grandparents. As a child, she spent many summers on her grandparents farm in St. Leonard, New Brunswick, Canada. She and Frank kept a boat in Westbrook CT and loved their sea time here in CT and FL. As a couple, they enjoyed many good times at the First Company Governors Foot Guard in Hartford. A lover of animals, she always had cats and enjoyed seeing and feeding the backyard wildlife. Her love of felines were her children. Shirley is survived by her sister Cheryl Carter of Colchester CT married to James Carter and brother Philip Parent of East Hartford CT married to Elizabeth (Fitzgerald) Parent; niece Elisa (Carter) Sheppard of Groton, CT married to Geoffery Sheppard, nephew West Carter of Lincoln, CA married to Korin (Fredianelli) Carter, and nephew Mark Parent of East Hartford, CT married to Denyel (Brady) Parent. Great nephews Cody Carter is serving in the Marines and Killian Carter just starting kindergarten. Great niece Avery Joy Parent is in elementary school. Shirley is survived by Aunt Bernadette (LeBonte) Martin of East Hartford, CT and Uncle Gerard LeBonte (and wife Patricia) of Narragansett, RI. She has many first, second, and third cousins living in New England. Memorial to be held at a future date. Donations in Shirley's memory can be made to Protectors of Animals. There

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