Shirley R. Small, 85, of Merrimack passed away on Saturday, March 19 ^th , 2022 at Catholic Medical Center in Manchester after a brief period of declining health. She was pre-deceased by her husband Edmund C. Small in 1991.

She was born in Rutland, VT on September 4 ^th , 1936 to the late Gardiner and Cecelia (Lassor) Rice. She was a resident of Merrimack for almost 56 years and was a stay-at-home mom until her children were all in school. Once her children were in school, Shirley went on to work in the banking industry for many years.

After her husband died, Shirley rekindled old friendships and was constantly adding more friends. Her caring ways and life experiences, most notably, the death of three children, were an inspiration to others. She had a very dear friend from her banking days, Monica, who she talked to every day. After retiring in 1995, Shirley enjoyed a trip to the western United States, Canada and Alaska with her brother and sister-in-law.

Shirley was a Girl Scout troop leader for many years, was an active member in the Reeds Ferry Women's Club and was the current vice president in 2022. She enjoyed knitting and made countless prayer shawls, mittens and quilts, as well as learning the art of basket weaving.

In recent years, Shirley could often be found on her back porch watching and listening to the many birds who came to her feeders. It is there, that family and friends knew that they could find her, welcoming all who came to visit with a lovely smile and heart!

Along with her husband Edmund, she was pre-deceased by three daughters, Rose, Cathleen and Mary Margaret along with a brother, Francis Rice.

She will be forever loved and remembered by her three daughters, Shirley M. Small, Elizabeth Swenson (Kurt), and Barbara Francoeur (Gary); grandchildren, Lynn, Kara (Zach), Carissa, Brittany (Nathan), Lindsay (Mike), Jordan and Riellie; great-grandchildren, Aanika, Alex, Levi, Eliana, Madelyn and Olive.

Visitation hours will be held at the Rivet Funeral Home, 425 Daniel Webster Highway, Merrimack NH on Thursday, March 24 ^th , 2022 from 4 – 7 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of Mercy Church, 16 Baboosic Lake Road, Merrimack NH on Friday, March 25 ^th at 9:30 AM. Burial will follow at Last Rest Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Shirley's memory can be made to the NH Audubon Massabesic Center in Auburn, NH.