Shirley M. (Force) Edwards

Shirley M. (Force) Edwards, 92, a resident of Brookdale in South Windsor, after living for over 40 years in Vernon, passed away on September 13, 2021. She was born in East Orange, NJ, the daughter of Kenneth and Almira (Wolff) Force. Shirley graduated from Elmira College and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. She then earned a Masters degree from the Yale University School of Nursing. She worked as a registered nurse, taking time out to raise her family. When the children became older she returned to nursing, working for a time at Hartford Hospital. Shirley married the love of her life, Frederick Edwards, and they lived and raised their family first in New Jersey, then New York state, before eventually moving to Vernon in 1967. Faith and family were central to Shirley and she was always active in her church wherever the family lived, since 1967 the Rockville United Methodist Church. She taught Sunday School, chaired and served on numerous committees, was very active in United Methodist Women holding several officer positions. As she put it, she tried to live her faith in her daily life striving to be helpful, thoughtful and caring as a disciple of Christ. She also volunteered with organizations such as FISH, the Hockanum Community Council, the Girl Scouts and Vernon Reads. Along with Fred she served on a pre-accreditation committee for Rockville High School. Shirley loved watching sports with Fred, was a prolific letter writer and enjoyed doing crossword puzzles and playing cards with the family. She was always the last to finish a meal as she entertained the family at the dinner table with her stories that did not always follow a straight line. Shirley is survived by her four children, Allie Secor (Carolyn Moore) of Kentucky, Kenneth Edwards (Lorrie) of Torrington, CT, Keith Edwards (Magda) of the Czech Republic, and Kevin Edwards (Donna) of Granby, CT, and her former son-in-law, John Secor of Kentucky; her grandchildren: Michael Secor (Katie Knoeringer and their son Arlan), James Secor (Emily Byrne and their son Eben), Alan Secor, Alex and Jeffrey Edwards, Erika Edwards, William and Thomas Edwards, Elizabeth Moore, as well as several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by Fred as well as her brother Berwyn Force, her sister Genevieve Drache, an infant brother, Clifton, and a nephew Richard Force. Memorial service will be held November 6th at 1 p.m. at the Rockville United Methodist Church, 142 Grove Street, Rockville. The family requests that only those vaccinated against Covid attend in person to protect those with health issues. The service will be live streamed by Carmon Funeral Home for those unable to attend. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Fred and Shirley Edwards Memorial Scholarship c/o Rockville High School, 70 Loveland Hill Road, Vernon, CT; or to the Rockville United Methodist Church at the Grove Street address. The family would like to thank the staff at Brookdale in South Windsor for their great care and kind attention to Mom and their support during this time. For online condolences and memorial service streaming please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com