Obituary of Shirley Nancy Erlandson
Shirley N. Erlandson passed away on April 20, 2020 at the age of 94. Born and raised in Winchester MA, she was the daughter of the late Gustave Josephson and Sigrid (Evju) Josephson. She was blessed with a long, happy and fulfilling life. As a teenager she attended the youth group at the Church of the Open Bible, where she met her future husband, Robert W “Bob” Erlandson. When Bob returned from service in WWII the couple married and raised a family in the home that Bob and “volunteers” built on Vernon St, Woburn. They remained very active in the church’s ministries through the years. Shirley and Bob experienced 65 wonderful years together, both devoted to God, family and friends.
Shirley was happy to be a wife and mother and took on that role with ease and gusto. Her hands were seldom idle. Besides being a wonderful cook and baker, her hands enjoyed sewing, puzzles, crafts and knitting beautiful afghans, Nordic mittens and sweaters for many. She was a very caring friend to many, a woman of strong faith and resilience, dedicated to her family, respected and admired by all who knew her. As the family grew, she adored spending time with her grand children.
The family cottage on Lake Winnipesauke, NH was a haven of fun, rest, reunion for the entire family and an abundance of friends. Upon retirement, Shirley and Bob moved to Moultonborough, NH where they kept very busy with new friends and folks in need. The wonderful neighbors of Marvin Road became like “family” to them and were a great help and encouragement to Shirley after Bob passed away. Her family will forever be grateful to them. Shirley and Bob became active and involved in the Senior Meals program and also became members of the First Christian Church in Wolfeboro, where they developed many long term friendships, adding to their daily delight!
In 2018, Shirley moved back to Woburn to be near family. Once again she found many new friends and activities to fill her days. It was such a blessing to her family to have her live at New Horizons at Choate, and briefly at Windrose at Woburn, and know that she was well cared for and loved, for her final days. The family thanks all the residents and staff of both these facilities!
Shirley was the loving mother of Bob Erlandson and his wife Marie of PA, Janet and her husband Gerry McCabe of Woburn. Proud Grammie of Jason Erlandson, the late Laura Erlandson, Amanda McCabe, Dan McCabe and his wife Michelle. Great-Grammie to Isaac and Carter Erlandson, Jeremy and Oliver McCabe. Dear sister of her four late siblings, Walter Josephson, Roy Josephson, Doris Erlandson, Sherman Josephson. Also held dear…Matt and Charlotte Crocker, Maureen Erlandson, many beloved nieces and nephews and extended family.
Shirley was a kind hearted, humble person who often expressed the desire that, upon her death, loved ones would “do something nice for someone else”, in her memory instead of flowers or donations.
