Shirley Newell

Shirley Ann (Bailey) Newell, born November 3, 1946, passed away at the age of 78, of St. Johnsbury, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 25, 2025.

Shirley was born in Pawlet, VT to Edward and Mary (Bishop) Bailey. She was one of six children.

On October 28, 1963, Shirley married Thayer “Mush” Newell and lived in St. Johnsbury, where she built and enjoyed her life with him for 46 years, in addition to raising her beloved daughter, Sonja. Shirley worked at Glovers for ten years, then started at Weidmann where she worked for 38 years and then retired.

She was well known among friends and family for her famous chocolates, fudge, and her peanut brittle. She also donated a lot of candy to the fire department, both state and town police, the ambulance, as well as the sheriff’s department. It gave her great pleasure handing out her Christmas candy.

Another one of her loves were her Golden Retrievers. It all started when her oldest brother, Eddie, gave her first one and that’s all it took. She owned six of them: Sandy, Travis, Ginger, Casey, Sasha, and left her beloved Max behind.

Shirley enjoyed her country music, especially Conway Twitty, and looked forward to Saturday nights watching country music on TV and Sunday evenings with family and her sister-in-law Claire.

In addition to her parents, Shirley was predeceased by her husband, “Mush” Newell, in 2009; her son-in-law Scott Bolduc in 2024; and her siblings, Edward Bailey, Dusty Bailey, and Linda Rowe.

She is deeply remembered by her daughter, Sonja Newell; her sisters Carol Walter and friend Ray, and Nancy Holmes; grandchildren Krystal and Josh Taylor; great-grandchildren Rylee, Braylee, and Payslee Newell; Claire Parks, Sonja Mayhew, Che Newell, and, of course, all her family and friends. We can’t forget her best friend, Judy Hughes.

Friends may call on the family Friday, May 9, 2025, from 3-4 PM, at Sayles Funeral Home, 525 Summer Street, St. Johnsbury, VT. A funeral service will begin at 4 PM at the same location. A committal service will be held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at 2pm at St. Johnsbury Center Cemetery.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at CaledoniaLifeServices.com