A sports fan who enjoyed trips to Las Vegas and time with family
NORTH READING — Shirley E. (Dugrenier) Nilsson passed peacefully on her 90th birthday, March 31, 2025, at the Sawtelle Family Hospice House in Reading, surrounded by family members.
Shirley was born in Chicago, Illinois on March 31, 1935. She was the daughter of the late Arlene and Wilfred Dugrenier.
Shirley worked for many years at Compugraphic Corp/AGFA and Walmart, as well as some part-time positions at Mister Donut and the “old” Horseshoe Lounge before retiring due to health reasons. Shirley was a sports fan and could be heard cheering while attending youth baseball, softball, and hockey games. She also enjoyed watching the Bruins and the Patriots during the Ken Hodge and Tom Brady years.
Shirley coached several years for the North Reading Girls’ Flower Power Youth Softball League. She loved to attend bingo nights at the Moose Lodge, Wakefield Elks, and spent many hours at home with her jigsaw puzzles. Shirley enjoyed her trips to Las Vegas with her husband, Hal, and her children. She truly enjoyed hosting for the holidays and spending time with her family.
Shirley was the wife of Harold Nilsson. They were married for 59 years and they resided in North Reading for 58 years. Besides Harold, Shirley leaves behind 11 children: Frank (Paula) Sollazzo, Debbie (Steve) Rouleau, Edward Pronovost, Donna Pronovost and Paula Ciras, Ronald (Karen) Pronovost, Stephanie (Michael) Tannian, Cindy Gormley, Darlene (Tom) Williams, Laura (Brian) Harrington, Terri Boucher, and Eric Nilsson. Shirley also leaves behind 20 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her daughter and son-in-law, Denise and Bob Santoro, and her granddaughter Carolyn Gormley.
Calling hours for Shirley were on Tuesday, April 8 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. Her funeral was held on Wednesday, April 9, at 9:15 a.m. from the Croswell Funeral Home and a Mass of Christian Burial followed at 10:30 a.m. at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter St., North Reading. Burial was private. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in her memory to the National Kidney Foundation at https://www.kidney.org/offices/nkf-serving-new-england. To leave an online message of condolence please visit www.croswellfuneralhome.com.