Shirley M. Vander Heyden

Shirley M. Vander Heyden, 87, a lifelong resident of Wilton, NH passed away on December 20, 2022 after a period of declining health.

She was born on February 22, 1935 in Wilton, NH, daughter of the late Ewart and Aurore (Martin) Broome. In addition to her parents, Shirley was predeceased by her loving husband, Paul Vander Heyden and her sister Dorothy Atwood Roberts. Shirley was the devoted mother to two daughters and sons-in-laws, Linda & Ron Patterson of Antrim, NH and Holly & Thomas Levins of Wilton, NH. Beloved grandmother to Kelly & Kyle Fontaine of Peterborough, Ryan & Juliet Patterson of Greenfield, Kyle & Kayla Scripter of Merrimack and Kevin Scripter of Milford and six great-grandchildren Addison, Rylee, Paisley, Harrison, McKenna and Willow; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Shirley graduated from Wilton High School in 1953. On September 5th, 1953 she married her high school sweetheart, Paul. They were married for 52 years until Paul’s passing in 2005. Together, they enjoyed a wonderful life building a home on Abbot Hill Acres and later on McGettigan Road in Wilton. Shirley and Paul loved to dance. Over the years they took lessons in ballroom, square dancing, round dancing and line dancing…..they did it all. Dancing together brought them great joy.

Shirley spent many years employed by Draper Energy /Wilton Telephone Company which later became TDS. Upon her retirement from TDS, she enjoyed working part-time at Brookside Mini Market for several years until she fully retired.

Shirley loved spending time with her family. She especially enjoyed the yearly family vacations to Hampton Beach and Lake Winnisquam. Over the years, she enjoyed snowmobiling, camping, working outside in her yard, and volunteering at Sacred Heart Church. After the passing of her beloved dance partner, Shirley continued with weekly line dancing lessons.

Upon moving to Ledgewood Bay Assisted Living Facility in 2017, Shirley enjoyed the activities offered especially bowling, art projects, baking and weekly bus trips.

Shirley was a communicant of Sacred Heart Church, Wilton until it closed and became a parishioner of St. Patrick, Milford.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Ledgewood Bay for the wonderful care they gave Shirley over the past 5 years.

SERVICES: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, December 30, 2022 at 11:00 AM at the St. Patrick Catholic Church, 34 Amherst Street, Milford, NH. A private burial will be held in the spring at the Mount Calvary Cemetery in Wilton, NH.

In lieu of flowers a donation in her memory can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association https://www.alz.org