Shirley Dunlap

1928 - 2015

HOPKINTON – Shirley Holmes Dunlap, 87, died peacefully, surrounded by her family, at her Hopkinton home Wednesday, April 1, 2015.

Shirley was born in Concord on Jan. 23, 1928, to Marion Herrick Holmes and Wayne Ferrin Holmes, and raised in Henniker. She graduated from Colby Junior College (now Colby-Sawyer College) in 1948.

Soon after college she married Philip S. Dunlap, to whom she was married for 50 years until his death in 1999. Together they made a great team, with Shirley managing a busy household of four children. She was a gracious and welcoming hostess, frequently setting extra places at dinner for last-minute guests. She loved meeting and conversing with people and learning their stories.

Summers were spent with her family at their cottage on Lake Massasecum in Bradford. Shirley would pack the family station wagon on the last day of school and head for the lake, not to return until Labor Day.

In the 1980's with a partner she opened an antique shop in Hopkinton, combining business with a personal passion, antique collecting. She often observed the business was not highly profitable, as for some reason many of the best pieces somehow ended up furnishing her house.

Shirley was active in community affairs, serving as a deacon of the First Congregational Church; president of the Hopkinton Women's Club; chair of the Friends of Hopkinton Village Library; board member of the NH Antiquarian Society; member of Hopkinton Gardeners; member of the New Hampshire Historical Society; and a life member of the Junior Service League of Concord. She had a keen interest in state and national public affairs and politics. She was a strong supporter of women's reproductive rights and was proud of having accompanied her granddaughters to events in support of that cause.

Beginning in the 1980's she and Phil spent winters at their home in Siesta Key. Fla., where she enjoyed tennis, bridge and a busy social life. She was an avid fan of UNH hockey and football, having accompanied her husband to numerous games when he was a UNH trustee.

She is survived by her four children and their spouses, William H. Dunlap and Susan Y. Dunlap of Amherst, Ann Dunlap LeBourdais and Peter LeBourdais of Harpswell, Maine, Robert E. Dunlap and Jessica B. Dunlap of Hopkinton and John P. Dunlap of Sarasota, Fla.; 10 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; sisters, Jean Duffett of Manchester, and her husband, John Duffett and Janet Thompson of Groton, Mass.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 18, at 11 a.m. at the First Congregational Church, Hopkinton, the Reverend Gordon L. Crouch officiating.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the First Congregational Church, 1548 Hopkinton Road, Hopkinton, NH 03229, or the Hopkinton Historical Society, 300 Main St., Hopkinton, NH 03229.