Shirley McGuire Miller, 75 of Bethel died peacefully at Danbury Hospital surrounded by her family.
Shirley was born Shirley Densky on September 27,1945 in Stamford, CT. She was a Bethel resident since 1969.
She is survived by her husband Richard Miller; her children and their spouses Darren and Emily McGuire, Sean and Tenja McGuire (Tenja’s daughter Kellie Greenwood) Kelley and Michael Braccia and Jennifer (Miller)Caldwell and Tim Caldwell.
Shirley is also survived by her 5 grandchildren; Michael McGuire (her best friend),Daniel, James, Kate,and Liam McGuire.
She was predeceased by her parents Henry and Helen (Burke) Densky, her first husband James (Jimmy) McGuire, and her siblings Henry (Sonny) Densky, Ronald Densky, a brother Raymond and her sisters Helen Layman, and Lorraine (Joss) Deleo.
Shirley is also survived by several nieces and nephews including Diane Riccelli of Bethel and her in-laws Maureen Sheridan, Carol Rustici, Kathy and Bill Robbie, Kevin and Pat McGuire, Gloria Densky, as well as Johnny and Jimmy Miller.
Shirley loved Bethel and owned United Painting with her first husband and later McGuire’s Pub. She had many hobbies through the years. At one time she raised and showed Doberman Pinchers, more recently Pugs became her obsession, not showing them, just loving them and cooking incredible smelling meals. “Don’t eat that, that’s for the dogs,” would be frequently heard whenever her kids (yup still kids, even “Babies”) would drop by for a visit. Her husband Rick would cringe whenever he saw Shirley surfing “Pug Rescue,” but always came around.
The first thing anyone who ever met Shirley would comment on was the love she had for her kids. Her children always knew her love of them was unconditional without judgement, this made her the first person that they would share good or bad news or a secret that needed to be kept.
She had a great sense of humor, always greeted everyone with a smile, helped when she could. She was incredibly strong especially during her health issues of the last few years. Kept her struggle private. Her qualities of kindness, sensitivity and easy way will be missed by all who knew her.
Her kids will miss their biggest champion and cheerleader. Her door always being open, phone always on, her affection and the automatic “Like” on social media.
Her grandkids will miss their Dee Dee and all that came with that.
A Graveside Service will be held at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Bethel Thursday morning at 11:30.
The family will receive friends at the Bethel Funeral Home, 215 Greenwood Ave., Bethel, Wednesday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 PM and Thursday morning from 10:00 to 11:00 Am before leaving for the cemetery service.
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