Shirley Anne Dyson Greenleaf Brown, age 97, passed away quietly of natural causes at home, on Mothers Day, Sunday, May 14, 2023.

Daughter of Lavington J. and Elsie Hill Dyson. Born February 27, 1926. Shirley grew up on Route 28 with her sister June and brothers Ron and Bob in the Hampshire Roads family neighborhood of Salem Depot, NH.

Shirley attended Number-Nine grammar school and was awarded highest honors, then Salem's Woodbury High School where she was valedictorian of the class of 1943. She went on to Plymouth Teachers College in Plymouth NH where she earned her teaching degree in 1947. She worked in the dining hall and enjoyed the extracurricular activities such as marching band, sports, singing and theater.

She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Methuen, Mass. where she married Milton C. Greenleaf in 1946. She met him through writing letters to service men during WWII. He was a friend of her college roommate.

After college, she and Milton lived in Hollis, NH where she taught fifth through seventh graders from 1948-51. She also worked at Lockes ice cream. She taught mathematics at Merrimack High School 1962-66 and Nashua High 1967-86.

They moved to Merrimack into a house that Shirley designed and Milton built in the early 1960s. They had 6 children: Daniel, Christopher, Deborah, Wendy, Cynthia and Donna.

Sadly, Milton passed away unexpectedly in 1964. Mrs. Greenleaf was class advisor to Merrimack High School's class of 1965. The class dedicated part of the yearbook to him.

The Milton C. Greenleaf Memorial Scholarship was set up for graduating seniors of Merrimack High School to help continue their education. Donations can be made c/o Reagh Greenleaf, 29 Camp Sargent Rd., Merrimack NH 03054

Shirley married Richard J. Brown in 1969. She loved to travel with her family and did a lot of it. First in a pop-up camping trailer and then in a Winnebago type RV.

Richard passed away in 1982. She has visited Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania, India, Egypt, England, Italy, Puerto Rico, Canada, Alaska, Hawaii, much of the continental United States and more. Shirley has been in a helicopter, hot air balloon, cars, trains, buses, boats and airplanes, she even rode on a camel!

Shirley was very active in St. James United Methodist Church, she sang in the choir, contributed to the food pantry, did fundraising etc. She also was involved in politics and local theatrical performances, all while providing for her six children, including knitting their mittens.

Shirley moved her family to Nottingham, NH in 1989 and she attended several churches in that area. From 1990-2016 she worked at Measured Progress (formerly Advanced Systems), an educational testing service in Dover, NH and volunteered at NHPTV Channel 11 auctions.

Enterprising and hard-working, Shirley worked other jobs over the years. While living in Salem she helped her father with his egg business, fireworks stands, waitressed at her Aunt Evelyn's restaurant, worked at Peever's drugstore and at her uncle's Hill's Beverage Company in Methuen MA.

In Nashua she worked at Greg & Sons, the Unemployment Office and Nashua Textiles.

Shirley moved back to Merrimack in 2017 where she lived until last year.

Strength in her faith, perseverance with her intelligence and a deep loving connection with her family, friends, community and planet enhanced her devotion. Her support and volunteerism for many causes and organizations has been widely recognized and appreciated. She was an avid reader, exceptional baker, enjoyed the wonder of life, the splendor of nature and wildlife, and especially the birds she fed. They will surely miss her as we all will.

Shirley was predeceased by her two husbands: Milton Greenleaf and Richard Brown; three siblings; Robert, Ronald and June (Trust); plus two children — Christopher and Donna.

She is survived by her son Daniel and his wife Diana, daughters: Deborah Bates, Wendy and Cynthia Greenleaf; six grandchildren: Meghan Greenleaf, Hilary, Timothy Hayden and Amira Grzywacz; and Evan and Raquel Bates.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to H.O.M.E., a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for low-income and homeless families, Po Box 10, Orland, ME 04472.

A viewing will take place at Rivet Funeral Home, 425 D.W. Hwy, Merrimack, NH 03054 on Friday, May 19, from 4-7pm.

Her Funeral service will be held at 11AM Saturday, May 20th at St. James United Methodist Church, 646 D.W. Hwy, Merrimack, NH 03054. Live stream will be available at stjames-umchurch.org. A recording will be available on their YouTube channel.

There will be a procession to nearby Last Rest Cemetery, then back to the church for refreshments and reminiscences.