WWII Veteran of the European Theater
Formerly of Peabody, Marblehead and Revere, Shirley I. Cousens lovingly entered into rest October 11, 2018 at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers. Mrs. Cousens was born of Herman and Rose (Sharpe) Gale in Chelsea in 1920. She fondly remembered her early years as a lanky “tomboy,” growing up in Revere, trying to keep up with her older brothers, Sydney and Milton. In 1941 she graduated Sargent College in Cambridge, and eagerly enlisted into the United States Army in 1943, earning her Credentials in Physical Therapy at Walter Reed Medical Hospital. Mrs. Cousens served two years in France, England and Belgium during the Battle of Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge. She worked as a Combat Physical Therapist with the 56th General Hospital European Theater, helping wounded soldiers get back on their feet by day, and dancing her cares away at the officers’ club by night. For this honorable service, she earned the rank of Captain, the European Campaign Medal and the European Theater Ribbon with Three Stars. A few years after returning to the States, she married her ideal partner, Earl Cousens, with whom she built a warm, loving home in Marblehead, and raised three sons who filled her with pride and happiness. During this time, Mrs. Cousens continued her work in physical therapy part-time at Salem Hospital, and developed her skills as a fabulous cook and a prolific, first rate knitter, winning blue ribbons for her work at the Topsfield Fair. She and Earl excelled in antique collecting and trading, and together they loved traveling throughout the U. S. National Parks, Europe, Australia and Asia. She was a loyal fan of the Boston Celtics and Red Sox, and could spout team statistics with the best of them. Mrs. Cousens made friends easily, and developed a number of strong, lasting alliances over the years. Above all, she was a family woman who cherished her husband, sons and their wives, and her nieces and nephews, and enjoyed as much time with them all as possible. After laying her husband of 63 years to final rest in 2012, Mrs. Cousens battled her sorrows, and – with the love and support of family and dear friends at Brooksby Village – carried on with the remarkable resilience that epitomized her life. Mrs. Cousens is survived by her three sons and their mates, Lawrence Cousens and Corinne Yoshihara of Napa, CA, Ted and Diane Cousens of CA, Andrew and Emily Cousens of Danvers, MA and a number of beloved nieces and nephews. Graveside services at Temple Emanu-El Memorial Park, Buxton Rd., Danvers at 10 AM on Sunday October 14, 2018. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in her memory may be donated to the Perkins Braille and Talking Book Library, 175 No. Beacon St., Watertown, MA 02472 or via website below.
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