Shirley R. Dansereau

Shirley Rose, daughter of the late Joseph and Loretta (Benoit) Amaral was welcomed home by her late son George on what would have been George's 63rd birthday, after a long courageous battle with her health. Surrounded by her family, she passed peacefully with love, laughter and her favorite music.
Shirley, sister of the late Mayor Joseph L. Amaral, Norman J. Amaral and Diane (Amaral) Borges, was born and raised in Taunton. She was a true Tauntonian and lived most of her life in the Weir and Whittenton sections of the city. Shirley loved the history of Taunton even working at the old Taunton Silversmiths down the Weir. She immersed herself in politics campaigning for her brother's Joe and Norman and loved a heated debate! She loved the growth of Taunton but the small town feel. Shirley was one of the first people hired at JCPenney when the "new" Galleria Mall opened working in the men's suit section and fine jewelry, which was her favorite. She amassed many friends and loyal customers during her time there.
Shirley's greatest achievement were her four children that she raised alone, George, Paula, David and Sharon. She would lean on her best friend Barbara Morey in hard times, who will be forever part of our family. With her beautiful children came incredibly beautiful grandchildren; Nicole Loretta, Georgie, Rachael, Cassandra, Matthew, Ariel Rose, David (predeceased), Andrew, Connor, William, Johnny, Carter George, Layla and Delila and her great-grandchildren Benjamin, Zachary, Jeremiah, Gabriel (predeceased), Mason, Constance, Josette, Rosalind,Tobias, Zoe The Diva, Roland, Benjamin, Sabastian, Mýa Rose and a beautiful baby boy named Dylan arriving in May!
Shirley had a deep and special connection with her nieces and nephews. "Aunt Shirley" was the one they went to for a hug when life threw a curve ball, some laughs, or a strongly worded conversation when they needed some tough love. That connection showed strong right up to the last moments of her life when her room was full of stories and laughter.
While life was not always fair and kind she did her best to pay it forward. Often, you would find the kids that had no place to go sprawled on the floor in the house. They knew she would give them a safe place to land and a bowl full of pasta to fill their bellies.
Shirley was a strong, tenacious woman with many talents and interests. She loved to learn and continued to study many things that interested her. She went to art school in her younger days and was incredibly creative. She loved to read, often a book a day and enjoyed journaling. Shirley also loved to sing and dance and on Saturdays growing up, we could turn the music up loud as long as it was The Beatles! Shirley loved nature, gardening and her cat Bubba whom she mourned for. She had a special ability to know things before they happened which made it nearly impossible to get away with anything as a kid!
Shirley was previously married to George E. Leonard Jr. (predeceased) with whom she created her beautiful children with. Many years later she reconnected with her childhood friend, James Dansereau, and they married in 1997. They lived together in the Whittenton section of Taunton where they both grew up for her remaining years. They spent time taking trips to The Cape, New Hampshire and Canada before her health had other plans.
Shirley leaves behind her husband James, her son David and Jeanne Leonard of Berkley, daughters Paula and John (predeceased) Plapis of Ocala FL, and Sharon and John Hutchinson of Lakeville. Her step children Karen and Rick Virdinlia, and their children Kim and Michael Hoffshire, Thomas Dansereau of Florida and his son Tyler of Lakeville. Her sisters in law Virginia Amaral and Fran Amaral both of Taunton, Deborah Parker of California, Joan and Lawrence Frost of Florida and John and Agnes Dansereau of Florida, along with her grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, March 6, 2025, at Riendeau-Mulvey Funeral Home, 467 Bay St., Taunton, MA from 9:00am-11:00am, with a Funeral Service being held within the funeral home at 11:00am, followed by a burial at St. Joseph Cemetery, 475 E. Britannia St., Taunton, MA. All relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend.
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