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Shirley was a Darien resident for over 45 years. Born in London, England, in October 1935, she was the daughter of the late Frederick and Rose Goldblatt Gee.
During WWII, Shirley was sent to Morcott Hall to escape the bombing of London and later obtained a General Certificate in Education in five subjects at Rosemary Prior before taking a secretarial course at the Hendon College of Technology. After several secretarial positions, she traveled to Baltimore, where she met her husband, David L. Ottenstein. Shirley had a broad range of interests, from world travel to the theater, but her true love was spending time with friends and working with various community groups and organizations as a volunteer, most notably at the New Canaan Library. She was a member and avid supporter of the New Canaan YMCA for many years and enjoyed leading the local International Conversation Group.
Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, David, who died in 2009.
She is survived by her two sons, Robert Ottenstein and his wife, Shawn, of New York City; Neil Ottenstein and his wife, Laura, of Bowie, Maryland; and four grandchildren.
A celebration of her life will be held at 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7 at the New Canaan Library, 151 Main St. Guests may arrive at 4:45 p.m. in the gallery. Her interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the New Canaan Library and the New Canaan YMCA.
For online condolences, visit the Hoyt Funeral Home here.
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