A loving mother, grandmother, artist, teacher and friend, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. She was born in Battle Creek, Michigan on August 22, 1931, the only child of Gudrun and Donald Hainline. She graduated from Michigan State University with a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s degree in Painting and Art History. She was a teacher at the Mansfield Middle School for 36 years. She lived in Windham Center for many years, a town that she loved and participated actively in. Shirlee was president of the Windham Regional Arts Council, and the Mansfield Education Association. She won numerous awards, including Mansfield Teacher of the Year in 1985-86, a Connecticut Commission of the Arts Educator Award in 1990 and a State Art teacher selection for the National Gallery of Arts 100th anniversary celebration. Shirlee was always learning and always teaching, constantly taking courses, running workshops, organizing support groups and helping people. Her students loved her and Shirlee’s children have heard many times from many former students across the years about how much Shirlee’s teaching impacted their lives. Shirlee was an amazing artist. She had a studio in her home and was constantly painting and creating works of art across many mediums. She was a member of the Artists Open Studio in the eastern part of the state and her art was exhibited and sold throughout the area. But most of all, Shirlee loved her family and friends. Always there for support, always there for advice and always there for love. Her home was a place of warmth and love, of food and laughter, of many cherished good times. She is pre-deceased by her beloved daughter, Kristine Gerson. She is survived by her son Kurt Sheathelm (Marjie), her son-in law William Gerson, her grandchildren; Russell Sheathelm (Brianna), Tia Sheathelm, Zachary Gerson (Kristin), Jacob Gerson (Gabriela), Elijah Gerson (Sara) and Abraham Gerson (Alicia). She was blessed with seven beautiful great-grandchildren. She had many wonderful years of friendship and companionship with her former in-laws, Edwina and Russell Sheathelm and her brother and sister-in law, Bill and Norma Sheathelm. As her true and cherished friend, Kathy Stebbins said; “for sure, she leaves a legacy to be treasured by all whose lives she touched…”

Her family would like to thank Masonicare at Middlewoods of Newington and Masonicare at Greenridge in Rocky Hill for their amazing care and compassion over the past years.

Shirlee’s life will be celebrated privately by family. Contributions can be made in her memory to a charity of your choice.