Shirley Wasser, 95

WARWICK, R.I. – Shirley Zelda Wasser passed away on Oct. 6 at HopeHealth Hulitar Hospice Center. She was the beloved wife of the late Raymond Wasser. Born in Providence, a daughter of the late Joseph and Gertrude (Backman) Epstein, she was a longtime resident of Cranston, recently living in West Warwick and Warwick.  Shirley was predeceased by her sister, Ethel Davis, of New York, and her brother, Arnold Elliott, of Tennessee, Florida and Texas.

As an adult, she fulfilled her dream of going to college.  When her youngest, Julie, began school, Shirley was among the first group to attend the URI Extension in Providence.  After eight years of part-time study, she earned a BA in History, URI Class of ’75.  She was a member of the Cranston Senior Guild. A member of the League of Women Voters, she always made sure her grandchildren were registered to vote. Shirley volunteered with Rhode Island Historical Society Walking Tours in downtown Providence and also in the library at Temple Beth Torah. For over 50 years, she had a weekly mahjong game with her best friend and maid of honor, Miriam.  She bowled for many years, swam laps at the Grist Mill Pool, went to exercise classes and, at the age of 94, was riding a stationary bike several times a week.

During her 71 years of marriage, Shirley and Raymond traveled extensively to Russia, China, Italy, France, England, Spain, Israel, Egypt and Switzerland, as well as throughout the U.S.  They enjoyed many vacation weeks in Aruba in the winter.

She was the devoted mother of Howard Wasser and his wife, Harriet, of West Warwick, Helene Pell and her husband, John, of Ashland, Massachusetts, Sandra Wallis and her husband, Richard, of Holyoke, Massachusetts, and Julie Parker of Hopkinton, Massachusetts. She was the loving grandmother of Jessica Wasser, Melissa Morgan and Michael Pell. She was the cherished great-grandmother of Ariella and Valyn Morgan, and Victoria and Maya Pell.

The family would like to thank the staff of Greenwich Farms Assisted Living in Warwick for the wonderful care provided to Shirley.

Contributions in her memory may be made to your favorite charity.