Obituary of Shirley M. Brownell

Mrs. Shirley M. Brownell, 80, of Park Hill Adult Home, died peacefully Saturday evening at St.Mary's Hospital. She was born on September 23, 1928 to the late Albert and Nicholena Savocchio Palmieri. Shirley attended the former Wilbur H. Lynch High School and graduated in 1946. She went on to graduate from the General Electric School of Drafting, and the School of Creative Writing in San Jose. Mrs. Brownell spent 20 years in California with her family until her return to Amsterdam. During her time on this earth, she worked and volunteered for many organizations. She was registrar of voters in Santa Clara County, San Jose; map planner for the Bay Area Rapid Transit System, president of the Altruists Volunteer Group serving Agnew Hospital, life member of the San Jose YWCA, Chairwomen of the Montgomery County American Cancer Society, and coordinator of Big Sisters program; to name a few. Above all she loved her family. On January 1, 1948 she was united in marriage to Thomas R. Brownell. That union lasted 28 years until his untimely passing on March 2, 1976. She was also predeceased by a daughter, Darryl Jean Brownell; her sisters, Evelyn Hooker and Dolores Constantine; and her brothers, Frederick and John Palmieri. Survivors include her son, Thomas V.N. Brownell and his wife Jacqueline of Amsterdam; a brother, Albert Palmieri and his wife Sylvia of Fort Hunter; two grandchildren, Christopher and Morgan Brownell; several nieces, nephews and cousins. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, October 30, 2008 at 11 o'clock at the Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Avenue, with the Rev. Roland "Mac" McDonald presiding. Interment will take place at a later date in Mount Carmel Cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited and may call Wednesday evening from 4 until 7 at the funeral home. Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, Montgomery County Chapter in care of the funeral home office.