Shirley Flagg Crouch, 84, of Irasburg, Vermont passed away peacefully at sunrise on the morning of October 20, 2026 at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was born on Flag Day on June 14, 1942 in New Haven, Connecticut. She loved being able to say she was a “Flagg baby born on Flag Day”. Shirley graduated from Wilbur Cross High School in New Haven, CT, and was forever a city girl at heart.

On September 8, 1962 she married Robert “Bob” E. Crouch Sr. Together they celebrated their 50th Golden Wedding Anniversary. He predeceased her on December 19, 2012.

Shirley and Bob moved from Connecticut to Vermont in the early 1970’s to raise their family in a country lifestyle, first living in Chester, Coventry, and later settled in Irasburg.

Shirley was a librarian and para-educator at Irasburg Village School for over twenty years as her career “second act”. Prior to, she worked in insurance and contributed many years at Kipp Insurance in Orleans Village.

Shirley was also an artist, enjoyed oil and acrylic painting, sculpting, needlepoint and crafts, and cooking. Shirley was pure hospitality - never letting a stranger or friend depart her home without food and drink.

She had a lifelong passion for reading, spending many winter nights beside a roaring fireplace at the Leach Public Library. Shirley earned recognition as ‘Citizen of the Year’ numerous times from Irasburg Village School for her continuous encouragement of children reading outside the classroom. She spent her summer months reading children’s literature so she could pair books to a child’s interests. She also looked forward to the annual Irasburg Church Fair each July.

Her memory lives through her children: Robert E. Crouch, Jr., and his companion Lisa Knapton of Piermont, NH; Peter Crouch and his wife Lysa of Loudon, NH; and Amy Crouch and her husband Christopher Althuis of Barton, VT. She is also survived by four grandchildren: Caroline Crouch and her fiancé Nick Courchesne, Brianna Crouch and her fiancé Warren Smith, Thomas Crouch, Cody Crouch and his companion Sydney Vanier. She also continued a special friendship with B.J. Crouch of Derby.

She is also survived by her sisters Audrey Wilson and her husband Dave of Naugatuck, CT, and Nancy de Graffenried and her husband Gary of Prospect, CT; her brothers-in-law Ralph Crouch of North Haven, CT, Frederick Gunn of Sturbridge, MA, childhood friend & sister-in-law Linda Mastrioanni of Wallingford, CT, her goddaughter Jennifer Wilmot of Naugatuck, CT, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and many loving friends in Irasburg. She was predeceased by brothers-in-law Alan Crouch Sr., and Donald Crouch Sr., and sisters-in-law Margaret Gunn, Maureen Crouch, and Linda Crouch.

Funeral services will be held on Friday October 30, 2026 at 5:00 P.M. at the Curtis-Britch & Bouffard Funeral Home, 4670 Darling Hill Road, Derby with the Rev. Laurence Wall officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday October 30, 2026 from 3:00 P.M. until the hour of the funeral. Interment will take place on Saturday October 31, 2026 at 10:00 A.M. at the Irasburg Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory, can send to the Leach Public Library in Irasburg, Vermont. On-line condolences are welcome at curtis-britch.com. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Curtis-Britch & Bouffard Funeral Home & Cremation Service, locally family owned and operated.