Shirley M. Demski

Shirley M. (Andrus) Demski, 76, formerly of Southbridge and Jaffrey, NH, passed away Monday, Dec. 9, 2002 in Wachusett Manor Nursing Home, Gardner, following an illness. Her husband of 32 years, Michael J. Demski, died in 1981. She leaves two daughters, Kathleen M. Burnham of Volcano, Hawaii; and Susan E. Demski-Hamelin and her husband Robert L. Hamelin, Jr. of Ashburnham; a brother, Carroll B. Andrus, Jr. of Florida; a grandson, Scott T. Murray, and two granddaughters, Desiree Demski-Hamelin and Tehya Demski- Hamelin; and one great-granddaughter, Caitlin Murray. She was born in Southbridge, MA, June 15, 1926, daughter of Carroll B. and Mary L. (Brown) Andrus, and lived there for many years, later settling in Jaffrey, New Hampshire. She had resided the past two and a half years at Applewood Home for Elders in Athol. She graduated from Mary Well High School in Southbridge, with the class of 1944, and later received a degree in respiratory therapy from the University of Rhode Island. Mrs. Demski was a registered inhalation therapist at Harrington Memorial Hospital in Southbridge from 1950 until 1973. She and her husband traveled for three years to various parts of the country before settling in Jaffrey, NH in 1976. She worked for New Hampshire Ball Bearing in Peterborough as a quality control inspector, was a home health aide for Monadnock Home Health Care, and was a customer associate for Walmart in Rindge, NH for six years, retiring in 2000. While in Jaffrey, she was a member of St. Joseph's Church and the Jaffrey American Legion Ladies Auxiliary. She was also a member of the New England Chapter of the American Bell Association. She collected bells and stamps and enjoyed doing crossword and jigsaw puzzles. She was also an accomplished pianist and organist, enjoyed golfing and camping, and in her younger years, was an avid bowler in various leagues. A memorial service will be held at the convenience of the family. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Massachusetts Alzheimers Association, 36 Cameron Ave., Cambridge, MA 02140. J. Edward Murphy Funeral Home, 137 Main Street, Athol is directing arrangements. $(document).ready(function(){ });