Shirley E. McKusick

1935 – 2013 

Putnam – Shirley E. McKusick, 78, formerly of Sabin St., died Wednesday, September 11, 2013 in Regency Heights of Danielson.  She was the wife of the late Elwood McKusick.  Born in Putnam, she was the daughter of the late Raymond and Irene (Hakey) Evans.

Shirley worked at the Memorial Hospital in Worcester, MA as the coordinator of outpatient registration and clinics, UMASS Medical Center as the Director of patient accounts, and at the University of Virginia Hospital as the Director of patient financial services.  She also worked for DayKimballHospital for many years.  Mrs. McKusick was also briefly enlisted in the USAF during the time of the Korean conflict, receiving her training at Westover Air Force Base in Massachusetts.

Shirley is survived by three sons; Greg Glass of Portland, CT, Gary Glass of S. Gardner, MA, and Martin McKusick and his wife Colleen of W. Brookfield, MA; son-in-law James Stafford of Woodstock, stepdaughter Janice Braun of Lake Park, FL,  and stepson Roger McKusick and his wife Joyce of Cromwell, CT; ten grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her beloved daughter Cindy Stafford, brother, Ernest Evans, and sister, Nancy Palozie; daughter-in-law Nancy Glass, and son-in-law Art Braun.

Shirley had an effervescent personality and was very often the life of a party.  You always knew Shirley was around when you heard “Hello, darlin’!”  She loved to go dancing, which is how she met the love of her life, “Mac” McKusick.  Together they enjoyed hunting and fishing in Maine, as well as their many travels, including a cross-country trip, eventually retiring to Florida until Mac’s death in 2000 when Shirley returned to Putnam.  Over the years previous to that, Shirley skillfully decorated and furnished the several homes that Mac, a skilled craftsman, either built from scratch or renovated, with most of those years spent as a resident of Portland, CT.

Shirley also spent several summers camping at seasonal RV resorts in CT and Westerly, RI with her son, Greg and his family and extended family.  After returning to Putnam, Shirley was especially close to her daughter, Cindy, who she lost just this past May, and her husband Jimmy and their children, James and Rebecca.  Shirley truly had an exuberant love of life and she will be missed by her family and many friends.

Relatives and friends are invited to a graveside service to be held on Friday, September 20, 2013  at 11:00 am in GroveHillCemetery, Rockville, CT.  Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam. For memorial guestbook visit www.GilmanAndValade.com.