Shirley P. Hurd

Shirley P. Hurd, 94 passed away March 26, 2015 at the Mayo Healthcare in Northfield, VT.
Shirley was born November 29, 1920 in Springfield, VT to Gladys (Daggett) and Redfield Proctor. After graduating from Springfield High School, she worked for the Springfield Telephone Company before becoming the private secretary for Ernest V. Flanders, President of Jones and Lamson Tool and Die Company.
Shirley married Richard Hurd on November 18, 1944. When Richard left active duty from the Air Force, they bought a home in Plainfield. Richard was called back into service during the Korean War conflict and was stationed in Germany. After six months, he was able to retain housing so Shirley could join him. Very determined to be with her husband, Shirley and her two little boys drove through a blinding rain storm in the middle of New York City, with her car stripped of all outside attachments, including the windshield wipers. Being used to seeing military wives going to the docks, the locals would point out which direction to go and this was her first time at city driving.
Shirley’s doctor told her they would have no more children, but a daughter came along one month after they came back to the states in November of 1952.
Shirley was a stay at home mother, but she volunteered as a Cub/Boy Scouts and 4-H leader and was an active member of her church group, the IHN "In His Name" at the Grace Methodist Church and taught Sunday school. She volunteered as a "Gray Lady" for Barre City Hospital and the Central Vermont Hospital as a TV volunteer. Shirley was an accomplished chef and seamstress, but her biggest devotion was to her five grandchildren, attending their school and sports events, taking them camping and caring for them so lovingly.
In retirement, Shirley and Richard enjoyed traveling around the country with “The Liberandos”, Richard’s veterans association of the 376th Heavy Bombardment Group. They celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary with a trip to Hawaii.
Shirley and Richard lived at their home in Martin Meadows in Plainfield until 2003, when they built a condo in Wildersburg Common, Barre Town. In 2010, they moved to Mayo Manor in Northfield. Shirley lost the love of her life and soul mate, “Dick”, in March 2013.
Shirley is survived by two sons, Richard Hurd Jr. and wife Betty, and Thomas Hurd and wife Gloria; a daughter, Sheryl Hurd Ferris, and husband Leonard; five grandchildren, Shannon Hurd, Tammy DeFreest and husband Theodore, Anthony Hurd, Sara Ferris Howard and husband Nathan, and Marc Ferris and partner Amanda Brown; six great-grandchildren, Cindy, Jackie, Katie and Nicky DeFreest, Anna and Lily Howard; and several nieces and nephews.

Besides her husband, Shirley is preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, Lois Dutton and Mary Jane Bell and two brothers, Emerson Proctor and John Proctor and a daughter-in-law, Gloria Jean Ambrose Hurd.
A celebration of her life will be held on Wednesday, April 1, 2015, at 2:00 p.m. in the Grace United Methodist church in Plainfield. Burial will follow at a later date in the Plain-Mont Cemetery in East Montpelier.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the Grace United Methodist Church, PO Box 277, Plainfield, VT 05667.
Shirley’s family wishes to thank the staff at the Mayo Health care for the care and concern that has been given to her and her family members.