Shirley Slater Kazon

Shirley was born in Brookline, Massachusetts to Dr. Robert and Eva Slater, the second of three children. She was a graduate of Brookline High School and attended Syracuse University, where she met her husband, Bernard Kazon, to whom she was joyfully married for 56 years, until his death in 2003.

After her marriage and Bernie’s discharge from the army, the couple moved to Rutland, Vermont, where they lived until 1966, until Bernie joined Eastland Shoe, in Freeport, ME. While she worked at several different jobs during that time, her primary occupation was that of wife to Bernie and mother to their two children, Paula and Peter.

Until recently, Shirley was an avid golfer and member of Falmouth Country Club. During the winter, she resided in Lake Worth, Florida, where she was a member of the Wycliffe Golf and Country Club. She was also a long-time member of Temple Beth-El in Portland, Maine.

Shirley was a warm, outgoing woman, who loved spending time with her wonderful friends and family, including her sister and dear friend, Phyllis Klein. Her greatest pleasure was her family and especially her two grandchildren, Robert and Emily Bentinck-Smith. One of her greatest joys came this summer when she traveled to New York for the wedding of Robert and Jackie Marchionni.

She is survived by Paula Bentinck-Smith and her husband, Peter, of Sudbury, Massachusetts; Peter Kazon and his partner, Paul Cunningham, of Washington, DC.; grandchildren Robert Bentinck Smith and his wife, Jackie, and Emily Bentinck-Smith, all of Boston, Massachusetts. In addition to her sister, Phyllis Klein, of Portland, ME she also leaves a brother, Dr. Eliot Slater, of Boca Raton, Florida, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. .

A funeral service will be held at Temple Beth-El, 400 Deering Avenue, Portland, ME on Sunday, October 9, 2011 at 11am. Interment will follow in Beth El Memorial Park. Following the interment service, the family will be receiving visitors at the family’s home with a Shiva service beginning at 5pm. On Monday, October 10, 2011 the family will be sitting Shiva at the family’s home beginning at 2 pm with services at 5pm.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that contributions be made to the Bernard and Shirley Kazon Endowment Fund at the University of Southern Maine. Please make contributions payable to the USM Foundation (Kazon Americana Collection), and send them to : USM Foundation, 615-616 Law Bldg., Portland, ME 04104"

Please visit www.jonesrichandhutchins.com for additional information and to sign Shirley’s guest book.

Arrangements under the direction of Jones-Rich-Hutchins Funeral Home, Portland, ME.