Shirley Wagner

Shirley Ann (Tasker) Wagner, 87, passed away peacefully in her beloved Sheffield, VT, home on July 28, 2016, following a brief, courageous battle with cancer.

Shirley was born the only daughter of Maurice and Gladys Tasker, September 26, 1928 in Danvers, Massachusetts. She grew up in Connecticut, graduating from Hartford High School, and the University of Connecticut School of Nursing. In 1951, she married the love of her life, Paul Wagner, and they moved to Granby, CT, where they raised their five children.

In 1979, Paul retired, Shirley left her nursing position at UCONN Medical Center. They packed up their lives, Shirley's dad, Maurice, and aunt, Lorna, and moved to Sheffield to begin their next grand adventure. After building their dream home they spent their days walking in the woods, gardening, picking blueberries, watching the many local birds, and spending time with their family. Shirley also worked at NVRH for numerous years before she retired completely from nursing. She was a member of the Sheffield Federated Church and enjoyed attending Sunday services and church socials. In more recent years, Shirley enjoyed listening to music and whistling along, socializing at Riverside Life Enrichment Center and swinging in the front yard with the dog, birds, rabbits and squirrels to keep her company. She was a kind, generous, loving mother and grandmother and will be greatly missed.

Shirley is survived by her 5 children: Marilyn Winans, of Sheffield, VT; David Wagner (Beth) of Independence, OR; Carol Wagner of Los Angeles, CA; Heidi Cornwall of State College, PA; and Susan Kania (Robert) of Southington, CT. She leaves 11 grandchildren: Sarah and Rachel Winans; Ruth Winans Adeboye (Akin); Hilary Wagner Hernandez (Javier); Ryan Wagner (Whitney) ; Seth, Mitchell, and Brennan Cornwall; Richard and Tracy Kania, Kenneth Kania (Laurie), and 2 great-grandchildren Adam Kania and Mireya Hernandez.

She was pre-deceased by her husband of 61 years, Paul, her son-in-law Thomas Winans, daughter-in-law Tami Wagner, parents Maurice and Gladys Tasker, and her Aunt Lorna Tasker.

Calling hours 6-8PM, Wednesday, August 3, 2016 at Guibord Funeral Home in Lyndon Center, Vt. The funeral service will be held Thursday at the Sheffield Federated Church on August 4, 2016 at 10AM followed by a burial service at the William Dexter Cemetery in Sheffield, Vermont.

Memorial contributions can be made to Riverside Life Enrichment Center or the Sheffield Federated Church.