Shirley T. Caruso, (Solari), 91, of Haverhill passed away surrounded by her loving family on Thursday, September 8, 2022 at the High Pointe Hospice House in Haverhill.
Shirley was born in Amesbury on May 12, 1931 and was the daughter of the late John J. and Ethel M. (Dow) Solari.
With great love and humor, Shirley nurtured so many through the years as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Passionate about the family traditions that she and husband Tom had started, Shirley ensured that the Caruso house was a feast for the belly as much as for the heart. From her homemade soup and cutlets on Parade Day and raviolis on Thanksgiving to her famous open houses filled with treats of all kinds, food comas were commonplace. On Christmas Eve guests and family gathered around Shirley at the piano, all singing to “out-stanza” one another. The warmth continued Christmas mornings with big family breakfasts followed by colorfully wrapped gifts exchanged among all. Card games were often a feature of family get-togethers and Shirley ensured that everyone knew how to play by the rules. She was an enthusiastic player who belonged to a weekly Bridge club and for decades challenged the sharpest players at The Sons of Italy and the Crescent Yacht Club in many a game of 45s.
Shirley was the beloved wife of the late G. Thomas Caruso. She was the loving mother of Thomas Caruso and his wife Alison of Bethlehem, NH, Ronald Caruso and his wife Sandy of Salem, NH, Diane Caruso of Plaistow, NH, Joanna Gosselin and her husband Richard of Merrimac, MA, and Marianne Caruso of San Diego, CA. She also leaves her loving brothers-in-law Frank and John Caruso and dear sister-in-law Bette Caruso. She was predeceased by four brothers, Charles, John, William and Louis Solari; and four sisters, Aurelia Dondero, Lorraine Gove, Agnes Koop and Louise Nason.
She was the cherished grandmother of Keleigh Caruso, Adam Caruso, Veronica Mailhot, Paul Caruso, Samantha Caruso, Jessica Caruso, Joseph Reilly, Joshua Reilly, Alan Gosselin, Jacob Gariepy, Andrea Gariepy and the late Blair Gosselin. She is also survived by 8 great-grandchildren, several generations of nieces and nephews and many friends.
The family would like to thank the dedicated staff of High Pointe Hospice House, Holy Family Hospital-Haverhill and Hannah Duston Healthcare Center, with a special thank you to Mary Jane Praiano.
Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend calling hours on Tuesday, September 13 from 4:00pm to 7:00pm at the Kevin B. Comeau Funeral Home 486 Main Street, Haverhill. Her Funeral services will be held from the funeral home on Wednesday, September 14 at 9am followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. John the Baptist Church, 110 Lincoln Ave., Haverhill at 10am. Interment, St. Patrick Cemetery, Haverhill. Please visit Comeau Funeral Home on Facebook or www.comeaufuneral.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to High Pointe Hospice House in Haverhill.
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