Shrewsbury – Shirley J. (Murphy) Schneyer, of Shrewsbury, a former longtime Framingham resident, died Monday, Sept. 29, 2014, with her family by her side, in UMass Medical Center. She was 85.
Born on April 10, 1929 in Philadelphia, Penn., she was a daughter of the late Harold and Mae (Scholler) Murphy. She graduated from Upper Darby High School and would later meet Bernard M. Schneyer while at a jazz concert. They married March 26, 1960 in Media, Penn., and moved to Framingham in 1968 and to Shrewsbury in 2006.
Her interests included music jazz and gospel, gardening, time by the pool or beach at their home in Boca Raton, Fla., or a ride in the convertible. She had a quick wit and great sense of humor.
Shirley had a knack for decorating – interior, in gardens or for the holidays – but in spite of encouragement from family and friends she never worked professionally as a designer.
She will be forever missed by the family she loved so much: her husband of 54 years, Bernard “Bernie” Schneyer; her children, Dean H.R. Schneyer and his wife Susanne of Worcester and Kimberly M. Arthur and her husband Thomas of Sandwich; and her grandchildren, Jillian M. Schneyer, Colton S. and Carson R. Arthur; nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brothers, Paul and William Murphy.
Family and friends will honor and remember Shirley’s life by gathering Thursday, Oct. 2, in the First Congregational Church, 19 Church Rd., Shrewsbury, where her funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. The Rev. Lynne Dolan will officiate. Burial will follow in Beit Olam Cemetery in Wayland. There are no calling hours.
Memorials in her name to the Arthritis Foundation of MA, 29 Crafts St., Suite 450, Newton, MA 02458.
