Mary “Shirley” (Savage) Olson passed away peacefully in Knollwood at Briarwood after a courageous battle with lung and heart disease on Tuesday, July 17, 2012, surrounded by her family. Her husband Steve W. Olson predeceased her in January 1996. Shirley is survived by her son James W. Olson and his wife Rhonda Dobson of Worcester; two daughters, Deborah Ayala and her husband Agustin “Bruno” of Worcester and Cynthia Bellerose and her husband Bernard of Thompson, CT; seven grandchildren, Joey and Roberto Ayala, Jeffrey, Kristin, and Jenna Olson, and Brandon and Kerrie Bellerose; a step-granddaughter, Shelby Dobson; one great-grandson, Dominic Ayala; a brother, Walter Savage, Jr.; five sisters, Joan McDonald, Elizabeth Dombrowski, Beverly Marsh, Janice Mahoney, and Donna Norwood and her husband Stan; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Mary Shirley Savage was born in Worcester, daughter of Walter and Mary (Moore) Savage. She graduated from Commerce High School. Shirley, as she was known, worked many years for Sprague Electric, Astra Pharmaceuticals. She also worked at UMass Memorial Medical Center in the dietary department. After retiring, she worked part-time at Bennie’s as the KENO girl, a job she loved. She was a member of SAC Park and the Finnish Club. She loved traveling with her husband, her sisters, and best friends Dolly and Pete Markarian.

Her family wishes to extend deep appreciation to those who cared for her during her illness – the staff at Eddy Pond Assisted Living, Knollwood at Briarwood, and the staff at Sol Amor Hospice. All of the caring and kindness will be long remembered.

Calling hours will be held at Nordgren Memorial Chapel, 300 Lincoln Street on Thursday, July 19, from 4-7 pm. The committal service will be held at Worcester County Memorial Park, 217 Richards Ave., Paxton on Friday, July 20, at 12:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Literary Volunteers of Great Worcester, 3 Salem Square, Worcester MA 01608.