March 28, 2024

Shirley Ann (Mostowy) Driscoll

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Shirley Ann (Mostowy) Driscoll passed away peacefully in East Providence, Rhode Island on March 28, 2018. She was with her family.
Shirley was born September 2, 1956 in New London, Connecticut. She was the daughter of William and Julia (Sawicky) Mostowy of East Lyme, Connecticut. She grew up in Colchester, and East Lyme, Connecticut.
She grew up as an “outdoors” person engaged in her parents farming activities. She had many wonderful stories of growing up on the family farm.
Shirley graduated from the University of Connecticut with a degree in Horticulture. She was a life-long follower of the Lady Huskies Basketball program.

Shirley was married in 1981 to John Driscoll of East Providence, Rhode, Island. They lived briefly in East Lyme, Connecticut, prior to moving to East Providence.

She was the loving mother of Lisa M. Driscoll, and Joseph J. Driscoll. Shirley put her children first and was a great mother to them. In those early years she worked at the Newman YMCA in Seekonk, Massachusetts part time, as an aquatics instructor. This allowed her to be available for Lisa and Joe.

When the children were older, she returned to horticulture, the field she loved. She worked in both plant and hardscape retail sales. She prided herself in knowing her plants thoroughly and provided expert advice to her customers. She also made many life-long friends from “the business”.

No surprise, she was an avid gardener, and spent hours cultivating and enjoying her flower beds at home. She could often be seen out enjoying her plants.

She also enjoyed outdoor activities with her family. Camping, hiking, kayaking, bird watching, and of course identifying all manner of plants. She loved to walk Horseneck Beach in the “off-season” to let our dog Sadie run with the wind and waves.

Shirley loved to travel, especially camping trips which took her into the woods of New England, Canada, Alaska, the South West, Iceland and New Zealand. There was always another bend in the trail, another hill to look over, or a cove to paddle in.

Shirley would also become involved with raising money for women’s health issues, especially breast cancer. She participated in several walks and hikes in this regard which gave her great satisfaction, and more importantly put her in touch with many remarkable women. Her favorite was the New England Peaks’ for Prevention fund raiser in Sept 2014, when she climbed Mount Washington with a night spent at the AMC Lake of the Clouds Hut. Best part of these activities was the shared camaraderie of friends working together for a shared purpose (see below).

Shirley is survived by her husband John; her daughter Lisa, and son Joseph; Her sisters Mary Zewe of East Lyme, Connecticut, and Christine Kish of Pembroke Pines, Florida. She was predeceased by her sister Elaine Ehlers of Colchester, Connecticut. She also leaves numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, bothers and a sister in-law.

A celebration of her life will take place at a time and place to be determined.

Please send your contact information to jdris000@cox.net with the subject line “Shirley Driscoll”. You will be contacted as to the time and place for a celebration of her life.

It would be appreciated that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Shirley's name to the New England Peaks for Prevention 2018 fundraiser. https://tinyurl.com/shirleydriscoll

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