Shelby Botto

Shelby J. Botto ASHBURNHAM, Mass. - Shelby J. (Johnson) Botto, 73, a longtime resident of Ashburnham, Mass., died Thursday, Oct. 14, 2010 in Heywood Hospital, Gardner, Mass., after a lengthy illness. Her beloved husband, Manuel S. "Manny" Botto, died Jan. 19, 2009. Shelby was born in Windsor, N.C., Oct. 10, 1937 and was raised in Chesapeake. She was a graduate of Oscar Smith High School in Virginia, Class of 1955. She and Manny lived in Auburn, Mass., for 16 years before finally settling in Ashburnham in 1982. She was a longtime member of Ashburnham Community Church in Ashburnham and the Crossroads Community Church of Fitchburg. She was an avid reader and enjoyed her grandchildren, family and friends. She was a good mother and a super grandmother. Shelby will be sadly missed by her daughter, Rose Marie St. Germain and her husband Chris of Ashburnham; her granddaughters, Clara St. Germain and Sadie St. Germain, both of Ashburnham; two brothers, Donald Johnson and his wife Lana of Chesapeake and Linwood Johnson and his wife Anne of Charlton; her daughter-in-law, Missy (Savko) Botto Blanchard and her husband Larry of Winchendon; a nephew, Francisco Botto and his wife Marci of Crystal Lake, Ill.; and a niece, Jo Ellen Kiourtzidis and her husband Vasili of Kitty Hawk, N.C., and the many great friends she has gained throughout her life. She was predeceased by her son, Manuel D. Botto of Ashburnham who died in 1994 and her brother, Robert "Bobby" Johnson of Hawaii who died last year. The family thanks you all for your prayers, love, support and kindness throughout Shelby's illness. Family and friends are invited to attend the funeral service in Ashburnham Community Church, Chapel St., Ashburnham, Tuesday, Oct. 19, at 10 a.m. Pastor Russell Grant will officiate. Burial will follow in New Cemetery, Ashburnham. Calling hours will be held today from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Community Chapel of Lamoureux Fletcher & Smith Funeral Home, 105 Central St., Gardner. To sign the online guest book for the Botto family, please visit us online at www.fletchercares. com.