Shirley Roman

ROMAN, Shirley Elsie Yvonne (Nutter) of Needham MA and Highland Beach FL passed away peacefully with family in Boca Raton FL on January

6, 2023. She was 94 years young. Born on November

10, 1928, in Kitchener Ontario, the only child of William and Bertha Mary (Schmidt) Nutter on Shanley Street. While attending local schools Shirley became an accomplished figure skater winning many local and regional accolades and awards that culminated with her receiving invitations in 1948 to join both the Ice Capades in the US and the Skating Sensations in Canada. Shirley chose to follow her girlhood hero, the 1948 Olympic Gold Medalist and World Champion Barbara Ann Scott and toured across Canada with the Skating Sensations of 1950. She maintained relations with members of the troupe throughout her life. Following her figure skating career, Shirley followed her maternal uncle Milt Schmidt of the Boston Bruins to the Boston area. She worked at Lehigh Clinic as a lab technician while living in Newton Corner. She met her future husband, World War II veteran Edward Roman of Needham, at a Bruins game at Boston Garden. Shirley and Ed were married in

1954 at the Lutheran Church of the Newtons. The couple honeymooned in Florida, where they would return every year of their lives, before settling in Needham. Shirley was active with Ed in his real estate development and management activities constructing numerous single-family homes and residential rental properties throughout Needham and in Wellesley MA through Roman Realty and Namor Realty Trusts. She was flattered when Ed named Shirley Road in Needham after her. Shirley and Ed raised two sons, William and David. She was a devoted mother and grandmother. She hosted weekly Nanny Days of lunch and a movie. She and Ed never missed a school event and watched every football, hockey, and baseball game for Needham teams, Noble and Greenough School and colleges. Shirley was known for her sense of humor, quipping to friends, “These boys walk around me like I’m a Canadian hemlock!” She delighted in hosting Thanksgiving dinner in Needham after the annual Needham – Wellesley football game, always being joined by Marie, Milt, Nancy and Con Schmidt and many in-laws and friends as the families grew over the years. The festivities were never complete without several heated, group card games of Pass-the-Ace. Shirley loved to return to the twin cities of Kitchener– Waterloo where she had extended family, enjoying the rich German and English heritage of the area. She loved to travel with Ed, taking many enjoyable trips to destinations throughout the World. Shirley enjoyed playing golf and the camaraderie at The Charles River Country Club and before that at The Needham Golf Club. She was Women’s Champion at both clubs and President of the Needham club. Shirley was very active in her Lutheran faith, which was very important to her. She attended and actively supported Trinity Delray Lutheran Church while in Florida and St. Luke’s Lutheran Church of Dedham, and earlier The Lutheran Church of the Newtons, while in Needham. In addition, Shirley supported charitable and educational groups, including the Glover (Deaconess) Hospital in Needham and Noble and Greenough School in Dedham while her sons and grandchildren attended the school. Shirley and Ed were long-time members of the Boston Madison Square Garden Club. Shirley is survived by her two sons and their families, including five grandchildren and three great grandchildren; David and Fiona Roman of Dover MA, Hannah and Max Pasterczyk of Dover MA, Sarah and Josh Reimer and Caleb of Stamford CT, and Edward Roman II of New York City; Bill and Joey of Boston MA and Delray Beach FL, Carter and Ashley Roman, William and Charlotte of Needham MA, and Scott of Needham MA. Her service will be private. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Shirley’s memory to Trinity Delray Lutheran Church who provided comfort and ministry in her later years. The church’s address is 400 N. Swinton Avenue, Delray Beach FL 33444.