Shirley M (Merchant) Fontenault

Shirley M. Fontenault, 88, of Harrisville, passed away peacefully with her loving family by her side. Born in Westville, NY, she was the daughter to the late William and Hazel (Robinson) Merchant.

A great mom and grandmother, she only needed her family by her side to be content.  Shirley retired from Burnes of Boston and previously worked at the former Wanskuck Textile, currently known as Atlas Pallet, in Mohegan, where she served as a Union Stewart.

Shirley will be greatly missed by her surviving children; Robin Shayer and her husband, Michael, Rhonda Fontenault and her companion, Dusty Dill, Renee Jenness and her husband, Dan and Marcel Fontenault Jr. and his wife, Barbara.  Surviving siblings include; Pauline Tardie, Judy Gagne, Harold Merchant and Gary Merchant.   She will also be missed and cherished by her 9 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by sisters, Betty Jarvis and Connie Mowry and brothers, Lyle, Morris and Clarence “Peanut” Merchant.

A Funeral Mass will be held Friday, at 10 AM, in St. Theresa’s Church, 35 Dion Drive, Harrisville.   The family will receive visitors from 9:15 – 10 AM, prior to the Mass.  Burial will be held privately.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes any donations to be sent in her honor to the Overlook Nursing Home Activities Fund, 14 Rock Avenue, Pascoag, RI 02859.

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