Plan for the Future
Shirley Marie Grobert (nee Featherline), 91, of Chatham, NJ passed away peacefully on April 25, 2020. She was a devoted loving mother of eight children, grandmother of 13, and great grandmother of 12. Born and raised in West Orange, NJ, she was voted most athletic and jolliest in high school. She retained that love of sports throughout her life. As a mom, she was loving, strong and nurturing despite the commotion that comes with raising 8 children that were as independent as she was. Shirley was a member of St. Patrick Church’s Rosary Society for several years and served as President for a term. For many years she worked as a receptionist and administrator for the Chatham Family Practice. As a member of Chatham Fish & Game Club she loved to play tennis and bowl. In her retirement she took great pride in caring for her grandchildren. She was an avid reader of mysteries and the newspaper. Shirley loved the beach and traveling to visit her children who had moved out of NJ. Shirley also had a great love of food and dining out. She will most be remembered for her sense of humor, fun loving attitude and her infectious smile.
Shirley maintained friendships (her gang) from her kindergarten days throughout her life and was affectionately known by those friends as “Fezzy.” She and her group of childhood friends enjoyed getting together and playing bridge several times a year for many decades.
She is survived by her children Nancy, Cathy, Henry, Alan, Matthew, Barbara, John and Christina. Her grandchildren Tom and Timothy Novak, Paul Tobler, Michelle Finnerty, Devin and Christopher Grobert, Shirley Cristina Grobert, Megan, Matthew and Leigh Grobert, Samantha Grobert, Colleen and John Grobert. And her great grandchildren Magdelena and Isaac Novak, Natalie and Allison Novak, George Paul Tobler, Leo Grobert, Owen & Gwendolyn Finnerty, Louis Feldman, Maxwell Seth, Henley & Bryson Reed.
She will be dearly missed by her entire family and friends. A private burial was held at Gate of Heaven in East Hanover, NJ. A Memorial Gathering to celebrate Joan’s life will be held on Saturday, July 31, 2021 at 10 am at St. Patrick’s Church, 85 Washington Ave. Chatham. In lieu of flowers, donations in Shirley’s memory may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, Grand Central Station, P.O. Box 4777, New York, NY 101-63-4777.
Arrangements by Wm. A. Bradley & Son Funeral Home in Chatham, NJ.
