Shirley M. Clements
White River Jct., VT – Shirley M. Clements, 78, went home to Jesus on Sunday, June 21, 2026. She passed peacefully surrounded by her loving family and friends at the Jack Byrne Center. She was born in her family home in White River Junction, VT to George and Beatrice (Labombard) Brown and spent her childhood in the Upper Valley.
Shirley was never one to rest. Wherever she went, you could find her giving herself tirelessly to others. She had an eye for style and enjoyed owning and operating Catherine’s of Claremont in Claremont, NH. Later in life, she moved to Hartford, CT, where she volunteered for many years at the Youth Challenge Mission for Women, helping provide a safe home for women escaping abuse and seeking sobriety. Eventually, she took over and purchased Healthy Harvest, a health food store in Meriden, CT. Where she not only operated the store but turned it into a gluten free bakery, selling items and wholesaled them to other stores in the area.
She often said she was emboldened in Jesus. It was because of her Faith that she relentlessly worked to bring His message to others, sometimes at risk to herself. She was always working for Jesus and while on a trip to China, she smuggled in Bibles to share with the ones she met. She was an avid fundraiser who knew that persistence was key. She was also part of multiple mission trips to Guatemala, and enjoyed working in her community to spread the love of Jesus. When her health required that she move back to the Upper Valley, she found a Faith home at Riverbank Church in White River Junction. Never one to really slow down, she first volunteered as a server at Riverbank, but soon began working as a Ministry Assistant. She led countless groups and was a leader in the thrive ministry and led the intercessory prayer group, which she was very proud of.
Shirley adored her family and always made sure that they knew it. She welcomed her grandchildren and great grandchildren into all she did. Teaching them about Jesus, style, grace, class, baking, and how to open their hearts to the needs of others. She left a legacy of love that will never fade.
She is survived by two daughters, Adele Underhill and Amy Tibbits (Gene), all of White River Junction; four siblings, Joan Ducharme of White River Junction, Dorothy Aloisio (Roy) of Plainfield, NH, Gloria Parisi (Frank) of Edmond, OK, and Bill “Downtown” (Jo) Brown of White River Junction; four grandchildren, Frankie Lawrence, Nicole Meade (Tom), Bethany Boyle (Dylan) and Noah Tibbits; two great grandchildren, Ellie and Jackson. She was preceded in death by her parents, three siblings, Cynthia Prior, Robert Brown, and Ernie Brown, and a son-in-law, Brad Underhill.
Shirley requested no services, but in her memory please consider a donation to the Riverbank Church.
Knight Funeral Home of White River Junction, VT has been entrusted with arrangements and condolences may be made in an online guestbook at www.knightfuneralhomes.com.
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