Shirley M. (Bruneau) Houle, 81, of Leicester, died Saturday, December 29, 2012 at St. Vincent Hospital, Worcester, after a lengthy illness.
She was born in Worcester at City Hospital, daughter of Joseph and Irene (Roberts) Bruneau and has lived in Leicester since 1956. In her early adult life she worked as a telephone operator for The New England Telephone Company in Worcester. Later she was a homemaker and active in St. Aloysius / St. Jude Parish in Leicester as a CCD teacher, Eucharistic Minister and Ladies Guild member.
     She leaves her husband, Robert of Leicester; son David and his spouse, Michael Sullivan of Arlington; sister Lorraine Gingras of Leicester; and brother Philip Bruneau of Worcester. She also leaves many nieces and nephews.
     The funeral will be held Thursday, January 3, 2013 from Rice Funeral Home, 300 Park Ave., Worcester, with a Mass at 10:00 a.m. at St. Aloysius / St. Jude Parish, 489 Pleasant St., Leicester. Calling hours will be held Wednesday, January 2 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Aloysius / St. Jude Parish, 489 Pleasant St, Leicester, MA 01524.