Our precious, beloved mother, Shirleymae Mary Chaffee, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 23rd, 2026 surrounded by family whom she loved so dearly. Born in Montgomery Center, Vt on January 2nd, 1938, the daughter of Earl Girard Sr. and Elizabeth (Sylvester) Girard. She was very proud and loved to share the story of how she and her mother were blessed to both have survived her birth, and therefore the doctor was the one who named her.

Shirleymae worked for several years as a housekeeper for Alpine Haven, Vt, the sewing factory in Enosburg, Vt, and lastly she worked caring for the elderly at Bel Air of Newport, Vt, as well as a home health care provider. In 1991 she married Richard Chaffee Jr. and shared 35 years building beautiful memories together. She was his Ma and he was her Pa. They enjoyed their yearly trips to Maine. Our mother also enjoyed cooking for her family, sewing, knitting and crocheting. Her favorite pastime was reading and working on word search puzzles. She also would love to watch her favorite cooking shows and Hallmark movies and she loved her visits with Jamie's dog Bree.

Shirleymae was predeceased by her 3-year-old daughter, Sharon Marie Kennett in 1962, as well as her parents, and her two brothers and five sisters through the years and most recently her beloved husband Richard Chaffee Jr., who passed on January 7th, 2026.

Shirleymae also is survived by her children, Debra Therrien and husband Julien of Derby, Terry Sargent and husband, Homer of Jay, Randy Kennett of Bolton, Lisa Driver and husband Darryl of Jeffersonville and step-son James Chaffee of Newport, as well as many precious grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours will be Friday, May 1st from 6-8:00 P.M. at the Curtis-Britch Bouffard Funeral Home, 4670 Darling Hill Rd. in Newport, Vt.  A traditional Catholic service will be held on Saturday, May 2nd at 11 AM at St. Mary's Star of the Sea Catholic Church, 191 Clermont Terrace in Newport Vt. Heartfelt thanks to the entire staff at Maple Lane in Barton for taking such wonderful care of ShirleyMae. It was a great comfort, knowing she was in such caring hands. If friends desire memorial contributions in Shirleymae's name may be made to American Lung Association, Donation Processing Center PO Box 70360, Philadelphia, PA 19176-0360. Online 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.