Shirley Caezza

Shirley Caezza, 72, a longtime resident of Norwich, but more recently of Aurora, CO, passed away at her Aurora home on Friday, October 5, 2018.

Born on February 24, 1946, in Jacksonville, IL, Shirley was the daughter of Harold and Charlotte (Blair) Fernandes. Graduating from Jacksonville, IL High School in 1964, she then attended and graduated with honors from Barnes Hospital School of Nursing in St. Louis, MO. Following her graduation, Shirley completed her nursing studies at Binghamton University, in Binghamton, NY, where she graduated
summa cum laude.

On May 30, 1974, Shirley married Joe Caezza, Sr. at St. Bartholomew Roman Catholic Church in Norwich, NY. Together, over the years, they enjoyed traveling and dining at favorite restaurants. An accomplished cook herself, Shirley especially liked preparing Italian holiday meals for family gatherings.

Shirley was a devoted communicant of St. Bartholomew’s, where she was very active in the Ave Maria Guild. She was also quite involved with other church activities, including the annual St. Bart’s Festival as well as their ever-popular cookie and cannoli bake sales.

Over the course of her 50 years in nursing, she was employed by Barnes Hospital, St. Louis; Upstate University Hospital, Syracuse, NY; Chenango Memorial Hospital, Norwich, NY; and the Medical Center of Aurora, Aurora, CO. Over all those years, she maintained her nursing school friendships and, above everything else, Shirley’s many colleagues, friends, and family members will remember her as a kind and caring person with a quick and funny wit; a person who was always ready and willing to make time for others and, in turn, to listen and give the best advice. She will be greatly missed.

Predeceased by Joe on April 6, 2009, Shirley is survived by daughter Allison (Sam) Robertson and their children, Emma and Alex, as well as Joe Caezza, Jr. (Dr. Anna Marie Ward), Dianne (Jan) Lotyczewski and their daughters, Lisa (Jeff) Teves and Susan (Michael) Donovan, Jim Caezza, and his sons Michael and Stephan, as well as Mary (Marialana Buscaglia). Also surviving are her sister Nancy (Kirk) Domke and family, as well as numerous cousins and good friends, all of whom shared and enjoyed a life of laughter and love.

A memorial service for Shirley will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, November 9, 2018, at the Canasawacta Country Club, 261 County Rd. 44, Norwich, NY. Prior to the service, at 11:00 a.m., burial will take place at St. Paul’s Cemetery.

Please consider donations to the Chenango Memorial Hospital Foundation, 179 N. Broad Street, or the Church of St. Bartholomew Memorial Fund, 73 E. Main St., Norwich, NY 13815.