Heather Shortman Irene Ensley

Groton — Heather (Orkney) Shortman, 79, of Groton, passed away on Monday, Dec. 4, 2017, at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital in New London.

Heather was born in New London, on March 8, 1938, the daughter of Ruth (Merritt) Orkney and William Orkney Sr. She was married to Robert Shortman in 1983. Robert passed away Nov. 15, 2014. Heather was a graduate of Robert E. Fitch Sr. High School in the Class of 1956 and she had been the co-owner of the former Ashby’s Restaurant in Mystic. She was a member of the Groton Congregational Church.

Heather is survived by her son, Scott W. Keeler of Ledyard; her brother, William Orkney Jr. of Ledyard; and her sisters, Barbara Kenny of Mystic, Flora Bowes of Westbrook, Mavely Shabunia of Colchester and Elizabeth Wessinger of Old Saybrook; and her grandson, Steven Keeler Jr.; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Besides her husband and parents, she was predeceased by her daughter, Laurie Benshoof; her son, Steven Keeler; and her sister, Janet Edwards.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 13, at the Groton Congregational Church. Private interment will be in Colonel Ledyard Cemetery. There are no visiting hours.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be directed to the Groton Congregational Church Building Fund, 162 Monument St., Groton, CT 06340.

Please visit www.byles.com to sign the guest book or to share a memory.

West Warwick, R.I. — Irene (McCoy) Ensley, 91, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017.

She was born to the late Ferd McCoy and Nell (Butcher) McCoy in Matewan, W.Va., on May 25, 1926, growing up as a coal miner’s daughter in West Virginia. Irene married John W. Ensley in Richmond, Ind. on Nov. 14, 1952, and together lived all over the country, from Florida to California, eventually settling in West Warwick, R.I., in 1977.

Irene is survived by their daughters, Karen Holder and Barbara Williams; son, Randall Ensley; grandchildren, Kristen Walker, Kathryn Holder, Roman Ensley, Adam Ensley, Ariel Williams; and great-grandson, Ezra. She is also survived by her stepgrandchildren, Kara Dewberry and Kim Kirtland. Irene loved nothing more than spending time with her grandchildren.

Irene was predeceased by her husband, John; brother, Leonard McCoy; and sisters, Lorraine Boylan and Pauline Vealey.

To commemorate Irene’s life, a graveside service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 11, in Elm Grove Cemetery, Greenmanville Avenue, Mystic.

To leave an online condolence, please visit www. churchandallen.com.