Shirley Dorothy Gerber

Shirley is predeceased by her beloved husband of 74 years, Irving B Gerber of Belmont and by her parents Edward & Minnie Gordon and her in-laws Harry & Esther Gerber and Jack & Frances Bass, all of Blessed memory, and Zoe, her Miniature Schnauzer.

Shirley was born a single child in Worcester MA in 1924. She married her husband on the day Japan surrendered in 1945 and began a life that produced joy and happiness for 3 children, 5 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

Along the way she made friends in every corner of her life. She was a devoted homemaker who excelled at cooking, painting and being an involved member of the community. Although she did not have a formal college education, Shirley was an avid reader, loved history, kept up with current events and imparted a love of books and learning to her entire family.

An early member of Beth El Temple Center in Belmont MA, she was an active participant for over 70 years. Shirley also volunteered at area elementary schools and the Belmont Public Library. She loved email and correspondence and kept at it well into her nineties. She even participated in aerobics until a few years ago.

Shirley is survived by her 3 children: daughter Amy Dizer of Tavares, FL, daughter Nancy Nash & husband Claude of Birchrunville, PA, son Martin Gerber and wife Sylvia Gerber of Belmont, MA, 5 grandchildren Michael J Souza of Belmont, MA , Jeremy N Souza, Matthew Ochs-Kaplan and husband Mark Kaplan, Johanna Pittenger and husband Tyler Pittenger, Alex E Gerber and by her 5 great-grandchildren Lilianna Souza, Finley Pittenger, Beckett Pittenger and Ryland Pittenger.

Funeral services will be at graveside on Monday, September 9, 2024 at 10:45 AM at Sharon Memorial Park, 40 Dedham St, Sharon, MA 02026. Visitors will be welcomed at Shirley’s home at 4:00 PM for a Meal of consolation and then Shiva from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM with a service at 7:30 PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Beth El Temple Center, Belmont Public Library, Belmont Senior Center, Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, American Cancer Society or Dementia Society of America.

Donations:

Beth El Temple Center, 2 Concord Ave Belmont, MA 02478

Belmont Public Library or Belmont Senior Center, 266 Beech St, Belmont MA 02478

MSPCA/Angell Memorial, 350 So Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02130

American Cancer Society, PO Box 1120 Framingham, MA 01701

Dementia Society of America, PO Box 600 Doylestown, PA 18901