Shirley A. (Sanders) Esty

Shirley A. Esty, nee Sanders (formerly Merritt, Shumaker) was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She passed away on Tues June 20, 2023, surrounded by her loved ones at the age of 84. Shirley was born on October 7, 1938, in Exeter N.H. to the late Lloyd and Edith Sanders. Shirley enjoyed her time growing up in Madbury, Hopkinton and Epsom New Hampshire as a child before settling in Haverhill in 1951. Shirley and her family spent many days roller skating at the former Skateland in Haverhill as a teen and even received a trophy for the largest family of skaters.

As a graduate of Haverhill High School, class of 1956, Shirley was delighted and proud to be a member of the Class reunions and enjoyed spending time with her former classmates, many of whom she kept in contact with throughout the years. Shirley’s first marriage took her to Hawaii while he was stationed there. She loved the celebrations that took place in 1959 when Hawaii became a state. Shirley raised her two children, Kevin and Kim Shumaker, in the 1960’s and early 1970’s as a single mother and took her role very seriously while working at the Burnham School in Haverhill and the former Giant Value grocery store and for over 17 year the Central Plaza Liquor store in Haverhill. Shirley was known for organizing a neighborhood walk around Kenoza Lake, in Haverhill, with many kids in tow. She was smitten years later with a family friend when he arrived one day at her house claiming, “I’ve got the donuts, if you have the coffee” and thus began a lifetime of memories with her husband Howard T Esty of Groveland. Shirley and Howard were married on July 1, 1972, when he promised to “step up” and help her raise her children. They were blessed to celebrate 50 years of marriage in 2022. They worked together to start a farm in Groveland and Shirley was most proud of all that they accomplished. The farm was a source of pride and joy for their family. The beauty, the peace, the animals and the many friends and family who came to visit. Many Groveland residents over the last 45 years look forward to spending their Halloween trick or treating at the barn. With spooky decorations, cider and munchkin donuts, Shirley could be found ooohhing and ahhhing over the costumes and snapping many photos. She loved flowers, farming, taking pictures, gardening, playing Scrabble and cribbage, word searches, and feeding the lovely birds that came to perch on her windowsill. Shirley was predeceased by her siblings Janice L. Hanscom, Eleanor M. Brown, Richard T. Sanders, and Robert W. Sanders.

She is survived by sister Margaret (Peg) C. Farrington of Boscowen, N.H. Shirley is survived by her loving husband, Howard T. Esty, son Kevin E. Shumaker and wife Dr. Nita of Hixson TN, daughter Kim Ocasio and husband Herman of Haverhill, MA and stepdaughter Sandy Corriveau and husband Marc. She adored her 10 grandchildren: Jonathan Watkins, Terisa Bianchi, Alex Shumaker, Dr. Rocklin Shumaker, Mason Ocasio, Melissa Drake, Herman Ocasio, Isiah Ocasio, Melinda Currier and Michael Corriveau. She is survived by 20 great grandchildren: Chloe, Carter, Brian, Tyler, Benny, Max, Maya, Maddy, Mila, Angelina, Bella, Sophia, Caiden, Chase, Elijah, Brady, Kaelyn, Sarah, Thomas, Cronin, and very special friends, Tony Fontes and Gerry Hill who have been an asset to the family and the farm for many years.

Shirley was forever thankful for her daughter Kim’s unwavering dedication to caring for her and Howard over the past 6 years.

Calling hours will be on Monday, June 26th from 5-8pm at the Conte- Giamberardino Funeral Home, 14 Pleasant Street, Georgetown, MA. Her funeral procession will gather at the funeral home on Tuesday morning, June 27th at 11:15am to ride past their family farm and conclude with her graveside service at the Riverview Cemetery in Groveland at noon. For funeral home directions, florists or to share a memory of Shirley with her family, please visit wwwcgfuneralhomegeorgetown.com

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