Obituary of Shirley Mae Casilli

Shirley Mae Casilli (née Semedel), of Whiting, passed away peacefully at Whiting Gardens on Sunday, August 4, 2024. She was 92.

Shirley leaves behind her loving nephew and nieces, Frank Agliata and wife, Nancy, Patricia Agliata, Judith Ogonowski, Mary Mahone and husband, Michael; grand-nieces and grand-nephews, Michael Ogonowski, Jeffrey Ogonowski, Jonathan Agliata, Sara Honeker and husband, Joey,  Kelly Kathleen Mahone, and Michael Allen Mahone, Jr. and wife, Erin; and one great-grandniece, Emma Honeker.

She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 53 years, Francis Raymond Casilli in 2006; her parents John Joseph and Stella Virginia Semedel (née Johnson); one sister, Lois Marie Valiente; and one niece, Francesca Agliata.

Shirley was born in Gulfport, Mississippi on February 1, 1932, and moved to New Orleans, Louisiana at the age of 8. She often shared stories with her family of how she and a cousin were nicknamed the “Little Milkmaids” for singing and dancing joyful country tunes to the locals in their community. 

Shirley met her beloved husband, Ray, on a singles dance cruise as he was attending Tulane University after he returned home from fighting for our country in World War II. The couple married on September 7, 1952 in a quaint ceremony in New Orleans.   Though they never had any children of their own, Shirley adored her nieces and nephews and treated them as if they were her own children. She took pride in sewing various items from dresses to stuffed animals. She was always counted upon to create her famous “Sock Monkeys” as Christmas gifts. She was a very hands-on aunt having been there when they were born, to lending priceless advice as they got older. She was kind, caring, laid back, and mild mannered, never getting mad or upset over anything.  

Shirley had a deep love for others and always thought of everyone else before herself. She always found ways to give back to her community. She became a personal shopper for those who were unable to drive by picking up groceries and doing tasks for them that they were not able to do themselves. She adored dogs, especially miniature poodles, and volunteered at St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center in Madison.

Shirley’s family will always remember her loving nature and calming presence. While she will be deeply missed, her family takes comfort in knowing that she is at peace.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a memorial Mass of Christian burial for Shirley held on Friday, August 9, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Vincent Martyr Church, 26 Green Village Road, Madison. Those who are unable to attend in person may attend the Mass virtually by visiting www.svmnj.org and following instructions for live-stream Mass viewing.

Interment will follow at St. Vincent’s Cemetery, Madison.

In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions may be made in Shirley’s memory to St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center, 575 Woodland Ave, Madison, NJ 07940.