Shirley Courtney

Uncasville — Shirley Menders Courtney passed away

Feb. 26, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. Shirley was born Feb. 11, 1929, in Norwich, the daughter of the late Roy J. and Rose (Poyerd)

Menders.

She graduated as valedictorian in 1947 from NFA. She married the late Eugene W. Courtney on Sept. 29, 1956. He passed away Feb. 3, 2007. She was employed by Southern New England Telephone Co., and in later years, was the hostess at the Sheraton Hotel and at the Isle of Rhodes in Uncasville. Shirley was gracious and kind and was a friend to all who knew her. She loved to travel, was a lover of the arts and culture and was an avid UConn women’s basketball fan.

Shirley is survived by her son John and his wife Lek; a grandson, Flynn; and a granddaughter, Liana, all of Alexandria, Va.; a special sister-inlaw, Claire Menders of Oakdale; a special aunt, Marie Menders of West Greenwich, R.I.; special nephew Walter Thoma and wife Sandy of Norwich; special godchild Cheryl Viens of Griswold; and a godchild, Mary Ellen Troland of New London; and by many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, Shirley was predeceased by her sister Elaine Thoma; and sister Dolores Viens and her husband Normand; by her brother Roy A. Menders; sister-inlaw Mildred Vlaun; by a special godchild, Lorna Caviggia; and by her nephew Scott Viens.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 27, at St. Johns Church, 22 Maple Ave., Uncasville, meeting directly at the church. Burial will immediately follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery in New London. To leave a message of condolence for Shirley’s family, please visit her memorial at www.labenskifuneralhome. com. The Labenski Funeral Home, 107 Boswell Ave., Norwich, is entrusted with arrangements.