Shirley Ann Giarrusso

Shirley Ann Giarrusso, 82, of Cape Coral, Florida, passed away on June 15, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. Born in Paterson, New Jersey, Shirley was the cherished daughter of Richard and Rosalie Di Rocco and grew up with four sisters and one brother.

On October 27, 1963, Shirley married the love of her life, Robert Giarrusso. Together in New Jersey, they had three children, Lois, Anthony and Richard, they moved to Florida in 1987.

Shirley's heart was as big as her Italian dinners. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother (affectionately "Homma" to her great-grandchildren), aunt, and friend. Her family was her universe, and her happiness was in their joy. As a talented hairdresser and cosmetologist, she made many friends and shared countless laughs.

Cooking was Shirley's love language. If you were in her kitchen, you'd never leave hungry or without a smile. Her meals, crafted with love, were legendary.

Shirley was a vibrant soul with a heart of gold. She loved deeply and laughed often. Her home was always filled with laughter, good food, and warmth. Whether playing bingo, cards, chatting for hours or dancing around to her favorite music, she infused each activity with her contagious energy. Shirley was an excellent listener, eager to learn everyone's life stories. Despite her many health battles, she had a unique gift for making her doctors and nurses laugh out loud with her playful jokes and contagious sense of humor.

Shirley is survived by her husband of 60 years, Robert Giarrusso; her children, Lois Sherwood (JP), Anthony Giarrusso (Tamara), and Richard Giarrusso (Dawn); her grandchildren, Michelle Wetmore (Richie), Robert Sherwood (Shana), John Sherwood (Samantha), Christina Coluccio (Matt), Renee Starkey, Nicholas Giarrusso, Nicholas Roach (Julie), Dallas Roach (Abigail), Madison Glatz (Timmy), Emily Brown, and Richie Giarrusso; her great-grandchildren, Makayla, Drew, Jason, Jayden, Hailey and Caia; her sister, Norma Bell; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Rosalie Di Rocco; her sisters, Eleanor Barbato, Marie Moore, Dolores DeBot; and her brother, Louis Di Rocco.

A celebration of Shirley's life will be held on Saturday, July 6, 2024 at the Coral Ridge Funeral Home and Cemetery, 950 Chiquita Blvd, S. Cape Coral, FL 33991. The gathering starts at 1PM and the service will start at 2:30PM. Please wear something cheerful and yellow, Shirley's favorite color, to reflect the joy she brought to our lives.

Thank you for joining us in celebrating the life of an extraordinary woman.