Shirley Arlene Thoms

Shirley Arlene Thoms, age 90, passed away on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at The German Centre in Boston, Massachusetts. Born in Boston, Massachusetts on February 5, 1935, she was the daughter of the late Henry and Marjorie (Randall) Thoms. Shirley was raised in the Roslindale neighborhood of Boston and graduated from Roslindale High School with the class of 1952.

After receiving her diploma, Shirley worked for Boston Gas processing punch cards until she stepped away from the work force to raise a family. Shirley was a doting mother who taught her children kindness and the importance of faith in their lives. She also ran a tight ship, expecting her children to follow the rules of her household without having to remind them, like finishing all your supper if you wanted dessert. An excellent cook, Shirley often whipped up delicious soups and goulashes, sometimes making the recipes up on the fly based on what was in the fridge. She was economical and crafty, and her children delighted in the many creative meals she would make.

In 1976 Shirley returned to the workforce when she accepted a position within the Department of Mental Health for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Interested in sharpening her skills and growing within the organization, Shirley enrolled in a local community college where she took a variety of classes on business and management. Her determination paid off when she was appointed Director of Human Resources. Shirley was a dedicated employee, working for the Commonwealth for close to thirty years before her well-deserved retirement at age 70.

Shirley made her home in a variety of towns across Massachusetts including Weymouth, Roslindale, Hyde Park, and Dedham before settling into Walpole in 1985. While she may have resided in many places, her spiritual home was always in the Lutheran church. As a young woman she attended Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Boston, later bringing her family to Saint Luke's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Dedham. Once settled in Walpole, Shirley became a parishioner at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in the neighboring town of Norwood. She was devoted to her faith and gave back to her Church community as often as she could. Fridays were spent folding the bulletins for Sunday's services which Shirley never missed, and many members of the congregation received beautiful cards put together by her. Shirley's elegant handwriting and the joy she found in sending and receiving cards made her the perfect person to run the card ministry, supporting her fellow worshipers and lifting them up with her beautiful words and messages.

Shirley was a lively and social woman. She loved to spend time with people, making friends wherever she went, finding joy in shared stories and laughter. Once a month Shirley and a dozen friends would get together for a lunch to catch up, with her scouting out locations and menus in advance. Shirley would become a regular at the Norwood Senior Center, playing bocce and cards, dancing, making friends, and enjoying the weekly luncheons. While her friends were wonderful, her family was everything. Shirley loved her family with all her heart; a proud and protective mother who was thrilled to become a ‘Gammy' and great 'Gammy' multiple times.

In her free time, Shirley enjoyed a variety of activities. She had a passion for dancing, especially ballroom dancing, her entire life. Whether at the dance hall or at home in the kitchen, Shirley moved with grace, pulling her children, friends, or partners into her arms to join her in a triple step or waltz to the big band music playing in the background. To relax Shirley would take strolls around town, visiting the Town Hall and the library where she would pick up a cozy book to read back at home. She also enjoyed yoga and taught it for a period, inviting others to participate in the relaxing activity. Shirley was crafty too, knitting, crocheting, and making macrame to share with others. You could not visit Shirley without playing a game of cards, whether it was skipbo, cribbage, golf, or left right center; she was always game for a game! Shirley loved sports, and was an avid Red Sox fan, tuning in to each game to catch her favorite players David Ortiz and Mookie Betts. Later in life Shirley began to travel with her partner, John Carroll. Together they visited Florida and Arizona, took many cruises, and spent their evenings dancing the night away. The pair began dating when Shirley was in her 70's, proving that it is never too late to find the greatest love of your life.

Loving mother of James David Conboy and his wife Vikki of Attleboro, Rev. David Lawrence Conboy and his wife Rev. Robin of Frederick, Maryland, and Stacey Arlene Souza-Balzi and her husband Louis of East Walpole.

Cherished grandmother of Ryan Conboy and his wife Kate of Winchester, Matthew Conboy and his fiancée Leah of Waltham, Michael Conboy of Hudson, Christopher Conboy and his wife Jennifer of Fairfax, Virginia, Kelsey Hoffman and her husband Michael of Athens, Tennessee, and Addam Souza of Charlotte, North Carolina; and great grandmother of David, Addison, Stone, Sage, Silas, and Sparrow.

Sister of Norman Thoms of Hanover, Audrey Pugliesi of Dedham, the late Henry Thoms, Carol Newell, and Roger Thoms.

Beloved partner of the late John Carroll.

Also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, extended relatives, and friends.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Shirley's Visitation on Tuesday, June 3rd, 2025, from 4:00 - 7:00 pm in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole. A funeral home service will follow at 7:00 pm. Interment will be private at the Gardens of Gethsemane in West Roxbury.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Shirley's name may be made to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute at P.O. Box 849168 Boston, MA 02284 or by visiting https://www.dana-farber.org/how-you-can-help/ways-to-give