Shirley J. Holland

Shirley (Rogers) (Connors) Holland passed away on July 9, 2018. Shirley was born in Upper Darby, PA, Eldest daughter of the late Harold Whitney and Beatrice (La Palme) Rogers. She graduated from Drexel College, and moved to Springfield, MA to marry Frank Holland and to raise four children. She also worked as a Medical Secretary for the Hampden District Mental Health Center in Springfield. Shirley, the epitome of a proper, well-mannered, quiet lady, thrived in the midst of a large, animated, forever-teasing, extended family. She will be remembered as a devoted mother, a busy grandmother, and an involved member of Holy Name Church and local senior centers. She nurtured her family with Sunday dinners, Christmas stockings, orange cake and lasagna. Shirley leaves her sons, Frank Holland (Michelle) of Palo Alto, CA, Mark Holland (Peg) of Windsor, CT, Kevin Holland (Maureen) of East Longmeadow, Massachusetts; her daughter Mary-Beth Holland of New York City; her grandchildren, Matthew Holland, Ryan Holland, Caitlin MacDonald (Adam), Connor Holland, Julia Holland, Gabriella Holland, her newborn great-granddaughter Fiona Whitney MacDonald, and her two sisters, Sally Doyle of Coatesville, PA and Carol Campbell of Boonton, NJ. Shirley was an attentive and devoted aunt to all of the Rogers and Holland families. She was predeceased by her husband, Frank Holland in 1985. She was predeceased by her second husband, Joseph Connors in 1997. Shirley is also survived by the children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren of Joseph Connors. Family and friends are invited to attend visiting hours on Friday, July 13th from 6-8PM at Forastiere Smith Funeral Home, 220 North Main ST., East Longmeadow. Shirley’s funeral will be held on Saturday, July 14th from the funeral home at 9AM followed by a Funeral Mass at Holy Name Church, Springfield at 10AM. Burial will follow in St. Michael’s Cemetery, Springfield. Donations in Shirley’s memory may be made to The Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.