A lifelong resident of Marlborough, she was the daughter of the late Perley L. and Annette (Leduc) Ordway, and the wife of the late James A. Elder Sr., who departed this earth too soon in 1996.
A member of St. Anne’s Parish in Marlborough, Shirley spent her life raising her family, and was employed at Dura Binding Book Shop and in her later years at Space Age Electronics. A dedicated Catholic, for whom many hours were spent in prayer for others, always putting herself second, she cherished St. Anthony and attending Novena’s faithfully. Her time spent with her family was perhaps her most cherished possession along with embracing her grandchildren and the care for their happiness.
Shirley loved to cook and listening to old country music. Some of her warmest memories were of the days spent with her many siblings celebrating wonderful holidays together in a loving home. She enjoyed her trips to Foxwoods with her sisters and friends. Shirley was always eager and ready for blueberry season and took multiple trips to the fields with her sister Phyllis, her niece and her children. Her strong spirit, great sense of humor and memorable laugh will be sorely missed.
She is survived by her sons, James A. Elder Jr., and his wife Vera of Port Matilda, Pa., Steven Elder of Leominster, and Brian Elder of Marlborough; her brothers, Bobby Ordway of Minnesota, Charlie Ordway and Perley Ordway Jr., both of Marlborough; and her sister, Marianne “Mamie” Shea of Hudson. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Jason Elder, Justin Elder and Kim Pescaro, and her great-grandchildren, Victoria and Ryan Pescaro and Elizabeth Elder. She was also the sister of the late Annette Ordway, Buster “Lesley” Ordway, Gloria Moffa, Phyllis Richards, Warren “Billy” Ordway and Stella Cox.
Visiting hours will be held Wednesday, Nov. 9, from 5-8 p.m., at the Slattery Funeral Home, Inc., 40 Pleasant St., Marlborough. A funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday, Nov. 10, at 10 a.m., at St. Bernadette Church, 266 Main St. (Route 20), Northborough. Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery, Wilson Street, Marlborough.
Donations may be made to the Massachusetts Humane Society, Inc., 87 E. Wharf St., PO Box 890127, E. Weymouth, MA 02189 or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
