Obituary of Shirley B ReFalo

Shirley Anne Brown ReFalo, 78, of Basking Ridge, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 6, 2014, surrounded by her family. Born on February 1, 1936, in Fairfax Station, Virginia, she lived in Fairfax County, Virginia until after graduation from High School. At age 20, she met the love of her life, John, and was married on September 3, 1955. Shirley and John started married life in North Carolina at Fort Bragg. They eventually made their way up the east coast to Virginia, Pennsylvania and settled in Basking Ridge, where she resided for the last 44 years. Mrs. ReFalo was, most recently, the secretary for the Basking Ridge Chapter of AARP. She previously retired after 25 years with Skyline Federal Credit Union in Bedminster, NJ having worked her way up from Teller, to Loan Officer, to Branch Manager. After High School, she started her career at the Pentagon in Washington, DC. Shirley had an infectious laugh and gift of joy that she spread to everyone one who touched her life. Her greatest love was being the mother of six and doting grandmother of six. She played in two bridge groups, regularly attended the Papermill Playhouse and was an avid reader. She had a fondness for wildlife. She was predeceased by her husband, John J. ReFalo, Jr., in December 2001. Surviving family include her brother, William Brown, of Florida; her children: John J. III and his wife Jude of Kingwood Township, Michael B. of Weehawken, Richard L. and his wife Allison of Lebanon, Robert P. of Basking Ridge, Lynda M. Boysel and her husband Doug of Reinholds, PA and Steven J. of Basking Ridge. She was the cherished grandmother of Richard M., Kara & Michael Collins, Helen P; Maura & Brandon Chadwick, Bethany and Hillary Boysel. The family will be having a memorial at the family home, 17 Lake Road, Basking Ridge, NJ from Noon until 3pm, with a service at 1:30 p.m., on Saturday, April 12, 2014. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers, the family recommends donations to: St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center, P.O. Box 159, Madison, NJ 07940; The Arbor Day Foundation, 100 Arbor Avenue, Nebraska City, NE 68410; or  New Jersey Hospice and Palliative Care Organization: Somerset County, 1044 Route 22 West, Suite #2, Mountainside, NJ 07092.  Arrangements were by the Gallaway and Crane Funeral Home, Basking Ridge. For more information contact the funeral home at (908) 766-0250; or to light an online condolence candle visit www.gcfuneralhome.com.