Shirlee R. Gherard, 87, beloved wife of the late Peter Gherard died on Thursday May 7, 2015 at Gladview Health Care Center in Old Saybrook. Born on January 15, 1928, she was the daughter of the late Arthur and Ruby (Reeve) Racine. A life long resident of Meriden, Shirlee graduated Meriden High School and worked at the Hawthorne Inn and 1249 West in Waterbury. She was a dedicated blood donor. Shirlee enjoyed golfing, sailing, trips to the beach and especially spending time with her family. A loving wife, mother and grandmother, Shirlee will be greatly missed. Shirlee is survived by her son Brian D. Delaney and his wife Yvonne of Wallingford, her daughters: Ellen Linn and her husband Bruce Seaman of CA, Nancy Hayes and her husband Stephen of Clinton; a brother Allen Racine of CA; seven grandchildren: Sebastian and Brendan Navarro-Delaney, Lindsey, Kerry and Christine Hayes, Derek and Rachel Delaney; two great grandchildren: Georgia Navarro-Delaney and Quinn Hayes and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her first husband John D. Delaney; her two sons David and Peter Delaney; a brother Arthur Racine and two sisters Dorothy Doxee and Nancy Nadile. Family and friends are invited to pay their respects on Friday May 29th from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and attend her funeral service at 6:30 p.m. at the Stempien Funeral Home, 450 Broad St., Meriden. To send an online expression of sympathy please visit www.stempienfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers donations in memory of Shirlee M. Gherard may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Connecticut Chapter, 200 Executive Boulevard, Southington, CT 06489 or to the charity of one's choice.