Shirley Henderson Currier, 87, left this life surrounded by family at Concord Hospital on May 5, 2023.
Shirley was born on December 19,1935 in Fort Fairfield, Maine, to Perley Henderson Sr. and Elsie (Hanson) Henderson. The family moved to New Hampshire in 1938, settling on Tucker Mountain Road in East Andover.
She graduated from Andover High School in 1954, and Hesser Business College in 1956.
Shirley met Clyde Currier when he attended her high school basketball games, and they married on August 29,1954.They built their first home on Bradley Lake Road in 1957 and later moved to Clyde’s ancestral family home in 1969 where they resided until their deaths.
In 1957, their daughter Kendel joined the family, son Bruce joining in 1960.
When Kendel and Bruce started school, Shirley became involved in the PTA. After becoming an accomplished skier, she was instrumental in starting the weekly Andover Elementary School ski program which continues to this day.
Shirley always made family a priority, whether it was playing cards with family and friends, making sure to go to all the grandchildren’s sporting events, cooking fantastic meals, or assisting with everyday activities. She was ready to help with anything. Shirley and Clyde square danced for many years, and Shirley was always up for a conversation with anyone and everyone she met – in the checkout line at the supermarket, the dance floor, or driving across the country.
She made time for herself too. All her life Shirley was an avid reader, often reading several books a week. She created many beautiful flower gardens as well as a large vegetable garden on their property. She enjoyed baking and made many delicious items including pies, breads, and, of course, her infamous date bars. It is fitting that she died on the day of the Full Flower Moon.
In 1969, Currier & Phelps Inc. purchased the Village Store which Shirley ran along with Ella Phelps until 1989, after which time she took her skills to Cricenti’s Market in New London until she retired. Throughout their lives, Shirley and Clyde enjoyed their travels, driving to Florida many times, traveling to many corners of the United States including Hawaii, and two trips to Alaska, and two trips to Europe.
She was Treasurer of the Andover Fourth of July committee for more than 30 years, Treasurer of the Andover Historical Society for a number of years, Andover Service Club, and Town Treasurer and Andover School District Treasurer for the past 16 years until two months before her death.
Shirley is predeceased by her parents Elsie and Perley Sr, husband Clyde, brothers Perley Jr. and Roger, sister Mavis.
She is survived by her son Bruce and his wife Kellie, their children Lauren (Chris), Julia (Ryan), great-granddaughters Mollie and Sadie, her daughter Kendel and her son Tyler (Maria), great-grandson Owen, her brother David (Ann), sisters-in-law Carolyn Currier and Betty Henderson, and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will take place at a time in the future.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Shirley’s name to the charity of your choice.
To sign an online guestbook, please visit chadwickfuneralservice.com.