Obituary of Shirley Kilian

DUDLEY - Shirley Bennett Kilian of Dudley, MA, passed away, with peace and grace, on Tuesday, November 15, 2016 with her family at her side. She was predeceased by her loving husband Albert Kilian in 2010. Shirley is survived by her daughters, Paula Clark and husband, Richard, Janie Pultorak and husband, Brian, Deborah Monaco, and Cheryl Chickering and her husband Stephen, all of Dudley. Additionally, she leaves her grandchildren, Megan Clark, Caitlin Seaman, Jeffrey Clark, Benjamin Pultorak, Lauren Monaco, Liza Monaco, Stephen Chickering, and Kyle Chickering, and three great-grandchildren, Kadynce, Bryce, and Cassidy and many nieces and nephews. Shirley was predeceased by her siblings, Raymond and Donald Bennett, Evelyn Lewis, Margorie Baker, and Dorothy Lagasse and her son-in-law, Thomas Monaco Jr. Shirley was born in Bangor, Maine, the daughter of Horace and Hazel Carr Bennett. She moved to Massachusetts as a young adult and was a 1947 graduate of Bartlett High School. Shirley married Albert Kilian in 1948 and began building a lifetime of fond memories. They were residents of Dudley all of their married lives. Shirley was retired from her role of Director of Human Services at the Fallon Clinic. In her younger years, she worked at American Optical, Stevens Linen, The Webster Times, and Carl Gordon Industries. She was actively involved in her community, proudly serving on the Board of Recreation, the Housing Authority, the Zoning Board of Appeals and Personnel Board, the Finance Committee, and as a Selectman. Shirley also volunteered for the SHINE Program at Tri-Valley Elder Services and was actively involved in the Emmanuel Lutheran Church and Zion Lutheran Church. Mostly, Shirley enjoyed spending time with her family and her many friends. She would always travel whenever the opportunity arose. Her favorite destinations were France and California, where she would visit with family as well as explore the many cultural and geographical offerings. Shirley will always be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, aunt and friend, with a passion focused on helping others. Calling hours will be held at Bartel Funeral Home and Chapel, 33 Schofield Avenue, Dudley, MA on Thursday Nov. 17, from 5 P.M. to 8 P.M. Her funeral service will be at Zion Lutheran Church, 77 South Main Street, Oxford, MA on Friday, November 18, at 10:00AM (Please go directly to Church). Burial will follow at Mt. Zion Cemetery. Memorial contributions in Shirley's memory can be made to the Dudley Fire Department Equipment Fund, 128 West Main St., Dudley, MA 01571 or to Music Ministry Fund, Zion Lutheran Church, 70 S. Main Street, Oxford, MA, 01540.