None Shirley Esthimer

Shirley Elizabeth (Garner) Esthimer, a resident of Hopkinton, and formerly of Walpole, died Monday, June 18, 2018 at the Beaumont Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Facility in Westborough.  She was 89.  Shirley was born June 26, 1928 in Norwood, MA, the daughter of Thomas Carlisle and Florence Ellen (Hayes) Garner.  She was the beloved wife of the late William F. Esthimer Jr., and dear mother of Steven, and his wife Nora, of Chapel Hill, NC, Keith, and his wife Carol Dubois-Esthimer, of Franklin, and Cynthia, and her wife Lisa Whittemore, of Hopkinton.  Dear sister of Allan T. Garner, and his wife Mary, of Tyringham, and loving grandmother of Katelyn Jean Dubois Esthimer and Wesley William Dubois Esthimer.  Shirley spent much of her childhood behind the soda fountain counter at her father’s Garner Pharmacy in Norwood.  There, she followed her father’s rule that “no child left the store without an ice cream cone”. Shirley graduated from Simmons College in 1950 with a degree from the Prince School of Retail.  She was a member of the Simmons Club. Shirley was an accomplished painter and exhibited her work locally.   She judged Walpole High School art shows, volunteered with her husband Bill at Medfield Hospital, and worked with the Walpole Arts Council and the Council on Aging. She was undeniably best known as a Walpole Community TV producer of “Art Space” and a New England theater critic.  Shirley launched her career at age 60 and produced over 400 shows.  She held numerous awards from the Northeast Video Festival, Hometown Video Festival and Walpole Community TV.   As a supporter of the arts, Shirley reviewed productions ranging from the Walpole Footlighters to Boston theaters.   Shirley endeavored to bring every aspect of the arts into the spotlight.  She loved her role as a judge for the Independent Reviewers of New England.  In her spare time, she wrote reviews for local papers. Relatives and friends are invited to attend Shirley’s Memorial Service  Wednesday, June 27th, 2018  at 10 am at the First Congregational Church, 100 Winter St, Norwood, MA 02062.  Private interment will be in Highland Cemetery, Norwood.  In lieu of flowers donations to the First Congregational Church (address above) would be appreciated.