Shirley M. Berner

Shirley Berner Obituary
Shirley M. Berner-loving wife, mother, grand and great-grandmother-passed away after a brief illness on May 5, 2024, at Hartford Hospital. She was 96.
Born in Hartford on June 1, 1927, Shirley was the daughter of the late John and Elizabeth (Dixon) Jepsen. She was raised and lived in East Hartford, graduating from East Hartford High School in 1945. Shirley worked as a key punch operator at Aetna and for customer service at Connecticut Bank & Trust until her retirement.
Shirley loved to travel and found great peace at the family cottage in New Hampshire. She enjoyed cooking, entertaining family and friends. She loved her Dachshunds. Shirley enjoyed playing golf, bowling, sewing and knitting.
She was a dedicated supporter of the Boston Red Sox and UConn Women's Basketball.
Shirley considered South Congregational Church in East Hartford as her second family. For over 70 years she remained active singing in the church choir and serving in various positions including deaconess. She volunteered with the Red Cross, local food Bank, Meals on Wheels and was an active member of the International Order of the King's Daughters & Sons and their fundraising efforts for overseas Christian ministries.
Shirley had a kindhearted smile and offered generous words of encouragement. Her positive attitude enabled her to be happy and enjoy her life. She would often say" I have had a wonderful life." It is a life that will not be forgotten.
Shirley is survived by her daughters, Sherry Loomis (Stephen) and Judith Zuniga; her son, William C. Berner (Brigitte); her sister-in-law, Pat Jepsen; her grandchildren, Andrew Loomis (Amber), Sarah Loomis, Jeffrey Zuniga, Erika Zuniga, Carl Berner (Michelle), and Jessica Berner (Jay Bardell); her great-grandchildren, Jared Loomis, Lucy and Mia Flowers, Logan Zuniga and Paisley Clark; and many cherished nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and her husband of nearly 65 years, William "Bill" Berner, Shirley was predeceased by her brothers, Robert, Richard, and John Jepsen, her son-in-law, Ballardo Zuniga and grand son-in-law Robert Flowers.
Shirley's family would like to thank the staff and residents at Apple Rehab in Colchester for their care and friendship.
A Memorial Service celebrating Shirley's life will be celebrated at 11 AM on Saturday, June 8, 2024, at South Congregational Church, 1301 Forbes St., East Hartford, CT 06118. A private burial will be held at the convenience of the family in the church Memorial Garden. In lieu of flowers, donations in Shirley's honor may be made to the South Congregational Church Memorial Fund. The Aurora-McCarthy Funeral Home of Colchester is in care of the arrangements. To share a memory of Shirley or condolence message with her family, please visit www.auroramccarthyfuneralhome.com.
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