Shirley Finch

  Our loving mother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend, Shirley Finch, departed peacefully in her home on August 5, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.

  Born on September 14, 1940, in Crowley, Louisiana, to the late Mammie and husband, Dallas Henney, Shirley migrated to Springfield, Massachusetts, and successfully achieved her GED.  Shirley was the epitome of hard work as she maintained her independence with an exceptional work ethic that began in the mid 60’s at the American Linen Company.  In 1979, she later became a surgical technician at Baystate Medical Center in the operating room and retired in her latter years as a sitter at the age of 80 from Mercy Medical Center.

  Shirley was very protective of the ones she loved.  Growing up, she was her brother’s keeper.  According to Dallas, “No one would bully me on Brigham Street, and I took full advantage of that.  She was my BIG sister.”  And when it came to her children, she did not play.  She would stand up to anyone that approached them with disrespect or intended harm.

  Family brought so much joy to her heart.  Pictures are showcased in her home like pieces of art and everyone near and dear to her had their own dedicated space for themselves and their family.  She collected hundreds of magnets, from her domestic and international travels, all of which were displayed just right on her back door and refrigerator but the magnets she was most proud of were the vintage pictures of her grandchildren placed on her freezer from the oldest to the youngest as if they were little gems delicately placed in a special jewelry box.  Not to mention the laughter and contentment she felt just from the presence of her great grandchildren.  Card night was set aside for the weekends and although she enjoyed playing, she would surprisingly find herself falling asleep through all the chatter and noise.

  Shirley’s second family was the Kingdom Hall which included each one of the Elders as well as her brothers and sisters she considered friends.  She was relentless when it came to HER Jehovah.  Her active door-to-door evangelism and distinct beliefs became her daily identity and her work as a pioneer within the Springfield community speaks for itself.

  Shirley exemplified beauty, carried herself with a sense of dignity, and was a woman who lived her life unapologetically.  Throughout her life, she reminisced on nostalgic memories of her grandmother’s house in Louisiana, Essex Street here in Springfield when she was 10, as well as her first and favorite car, which was a Buick.  Her collection of elephants was everything to her.  Over time, she had accumulated close to 1,000 of them in all different colors and sizes.  What appeared to be just a hobby would one day become a remembrance that would keep her memory alive and she will forever be loved, admired, and respected.

  Shirley leaves her two siblings, Patricia Lyons and husband (Fredrick Sr.) and Dallas Henney;  five children and three children she considered her own (Late) Henrietta M. Finch, Clarence B. Finch Jr. and wife (Paula), James Finch and wife (Donna), Michael Finch and (Vera), Linda Spencer, Thelma Housey, Ruben Housey and wife (Sonya), and (Late) Albert Housey and wife (Brenda);  15 grandchildren, Marcus Eberhart, Paula Mark and husband (Paul), Paul Finch and wife (Krystal), Clarence B. Finch III (Bruce), James (Jamie) H. Finch Jr., Shanea Wills-Dyer, Jason Wills, Jahleele Guidry, Corey Gibson, Sherri Spencer, Sherlianna Spencer, Shantel Spencer, Michel Finch Jr., Lateasha Finch, Annie M. Williams, Albert Housey Jr., and Shakeya Housey;  26 great-grandchildren, Princess Eberhart, Prince Eberhart, Fana Mark, Amari Mark, Paul Finch Jr., Ava Finch, Eva Finch, Londyn Dyer, Jason Dyer, Lashy Wills, Jayla Brady, Jayzon Wills, Jayveon Wills, Aiden Wills, Harmony Landry, Jahleele Guidry, Jordan Guidry, Kameron Gibson, Ja’Shari Brown, Amiya Harris, Elias Clemons, Savannah Finch, Journey Finch, Nyaishia Perkins, Dayvian Greene, Ayreanna Tillman, Albert Housey III, Anthony Malik Housey, and Jayla Amoni Dublin;  two nephews, Frederick Lyons Jr. (her god-son) and Dallas Henney Jr.;  a niece Trisha Lyons;  friends, Patricia, (pioneer partner and best friend), Elder Joe Johnson and wife (Bert), daughters, Tina and Niecee, and Joan (sugar pie);  cousin, Abbie Picket and wife, (who she considered to be a brother), Sue (travel friend) and Janet (who helped advance her career).

The calling hour is 11 a.m. to noon on Thursday, August 18, 2026, followed by a memorial service at noon.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Shirley Finch, please visit our floral store.