Shirley Buddington

Norwich-Shirley A. Buddington, age 90, a longtime resident of Norwich, passed away at Fairview Nursing Home in Groton, on March 11, 2026. She was born in Tonawanda, NY on May 17, 1935, to the late Chester A. and Anna (Zajac) Toenniessen. She was married to Kenneth W. Buddington in 1956 at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Norwich. She nursed and cared for him for eight years prior to his death in 1993.

Shirley went to Norwich Free Academy, Class of ‘53, where she played softball, baseball, gymnastics and track and field. She worked at Thermos until her marriage to Kenneth. After the death of her husband, she volunteered at William W. Backus Hospital for 24 years. Shirley was an avid UCONN Women’s basketball fan. Even when her health was failing, she would stay awake until the end of the game. She was an avid reader, reading several books a week. She also knitted blankets for all the babies of her family and friends. She loved animals, always caring for her dog, and watching the birds at her many bird feeders.

After the passing of her husband, Kenneth, Shirley was blessed to be reunited with her friend from Plainfield High School, Paul Rioux. They were companions for over 20 years and would travel extensively.

Shirley is survived by a son Jeffrey Buddington of Norwich, a son Michael Buddington and his wife Kim of Union, SC., a daughter Debra Richeimer and her husband William of Noank, a daughter Linda Bresnan and her husband Kevin of Jacksonville, FL., and a daughter Donna Beatty and her husband Dan of Waterford. She also leaves behind grandchildren Chad, Kevin, Dawn, Heather, Taylor, Andrew and Samuel, a sister-in-law Beverly Doney, as well as many great grandchildren. She is predeceased by a grandson Christopher Gibson and a sister Jane Pilecki.

Visitation will be held at Church and Allen Funeral Home, 136 Sachem St., Norwich on Monday, March 16th from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM at which time we will leave in procession for a Mass of Christian Burial at Sts. Peter and Paul Church, 181 Elizabeth Street, Norwich at 11:00 AM. Burial will immediately follow at Elm Grove Cemetery, Mystic. Donations may be made in Shirley’s honor to Fairview Nursing Home, 235 Lestertown Rd., Groton, CT., 06340. Please visit www.churchandallen.com to leave an online condolence for the Buddington family.