Shirley Cornish Preston, 88, of Wilton, New Hampshire died on February 17, 2011 with her family at her side. Born in Toronto, Canada to Gordon Cornish and Edna Newcomb, she lived her early childhood in Parrsboro, Nova Scotia. She moved to the United States as a teenager and graduated from Amenia High School in Amenia, New York. She attended Rockland State Hospital School of Nursing, graduating as an RN.

Shirley Cornish married Howard M. Preston in 1944 and they had five children. She and Howard lived in Virginia, California, and New York and settled in Connecticut and New Hampshire. She worked as a nurse for several years at Saint Raphael’s Hospital in New Haven, Connecticut. In retirement, Shirley enjoyed helping out at Frye’s Measure Mill and volunteering at the Wilton Public and Gregg Free Library in Wilton, NH. She also enjoyed traveling with Howard in their RV to country fairs and along the back roads of the U.S. and Canada. Gardening and knitting were other interests of hers.

She is survived by her children: Ann Taylor of Harvard, MA, Susan Boland of Pomfret Center, CT, Margaret Preston of Boston, MA and Saigon, VN, H. Alan Preston of Wilton, NH, Brenda Snow of Brookfield, VT, and eight grandchildren.

Shirley was a beloved mother and grandmother. Her love and companionship will be long treasured and greatly missed by all her family. Her greatest joy in life was to have a family gathering with her children and grandchildren. The focus of her life was to raise, guide and enjoy her children. Her nursing career and education from Rockland State Hospital provided her with knowledge in nutrition that was far advanced for her generation. The family plans to hold a memorial service this spring when everyone can gather together and the daffodils are in bloom.

To honor her memory the family asks that you enjoy time with your family. Contributions in her memory can be made to the Gregg Free Library, Wilton, New Hampshire.