Shirley B. Kemp

She was the daughter of Dr. Lysander Shaffeur Kemp and Dorothy Burnton Schontag. “Shirl” was born at Norwood Hospital on November 5, 1924 and lived in Canton, MA where her father was a physician. She graduated from Canton High School, Class of 1942; Vermont Junior College, 1944; and New England Baptist School of Nursing, Jamaica Plain (JP), MA in 1947. She worked as a Registered Nurse at the VA Hospital, JP, for 32 years and retired in 1979 subsequently settling to her beloved Cape Cod (Harwich port) in 1983. As a child and in her youth, she spent summers in North Eastham. After retirement, she was a volunteer at MediCenter 5 now known as Fontaine with the elderly.

Shirl loved the ocean, animals, reading, cooking and traveling to see the United States and internationally. She loved making fall excursions to the NE states with her friends, many of whom had never ventured before from Cape Cod. She had a wonderful sense of humor that kept all on their toes. During her retirement, Shirl took painting lessons and many of her pieces are likened to “Grandma Moses”. She was a talented painter in several media.

She is predeceased by her loving family: mother Dorothy, father Lysander, and brothers Lysander Kemp Jr. and Robert Green. She was a lover of dogs (all adopted from the Animal Rescue League- Brewster) especially her precious “Pip”.

She wishes to thank Dr. Carol Topolewski and her entire staff for their patience and kindness. She expresses gratitude to devoted George Lancaster and dear friends and family, John and Tania Cutler, Laura Engvall, Mimi and Ed Michalski, Bea Fitzgibbons (ME) and Tommy Notsley.

At her request, there will be no viewing or funeral. Her ashes are to be remitted to Cape Cod Bay. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Animal Rescue League, 3981 Main Street, Brewster, MA 02631 ( 508-255-1030 and 774-323-4323) .