Lifelong Rhode Island resident, Shirley Frances Comtois, 88, died October 20, 2024, at Landmark Hospital after a brief illness.
Shirley was born at home in Woonsocket on March 29, 1936, to Arthur Bazinet and Helen (Harpin) Bazinet.
Shirley was a graduate of Woonsocket High School and in 1956 married Phillip G. Thornton with whom she shared three children. Shirley was athletic and loved horseback riding, fencing, oil painting, and swimming. In her later years, Shirley kayaked. She loved animals and being outdoors, but most of all, her greatest joy was being with her family.
Shirley is survived by her children Deborah (Thornton) Girard, Pamela (Thornton) Anger, and Philip D. Thornton; sons-in-law Charles Girard, and Victor Anger; daughter-in-law Donna Lizotte; grand children, Kristen Girard, Audrey Girard, Damien Cabral, Dustin Cabral, Benjamin Thornton, Lily Thornton, and Grace Moorhead, Katie (Wojick) Cabral, Becca (Brown) Cabral, great grandchildren, Alexander Cabral, Logan Cabral, Callum Cabral, and Fintan Cabral, sister Susan Kryszak; many loving cousins and nieces.

Internment will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a contribution to ASPCA in Shirley's name. https://secure.aspca.org