Shirley (Miller) Hanlon

NEW HARTFORD — Shirley (Miller) Hanlon died peacefully at home Nov. 30, 2010, next to the lake she loved, surrounded by people who loved her. She was the widow of William Hanlon.

Shirley was born on July 14, 1930, the daughter of the late Marie and Eric Miller, and raised in Norwalk. She graduated from Norwalk High, class of 1948, and later atatended the Latin American Institute in NYC.

She married William Hanlon and raised six children before moving to New Hartford in 1970.

Shirley worked at CIGNA for many years before retiring and becoming an avid traveler and patron of the arts. She was a devoted wife and mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, friend and neighbor. She was a communicant of Immaculate Conception Church in New Hartford. Shirley enjoyed her time volunteering at Trinita and was very active in many area Senior Centers.

The beach at West Hill Lake was Shirley’s favorite summer destination, where she spent countless afternoons with her family and friends.

She is survived by her daughters, Mary Jane Ryon and her husband, Gary, Carol Mandel and her husband, Tim, Kathy Hanlon, and Tracey LeBlanc and her husband, Art; her son, Paul Hanlon and his wife, Liz; nine granddaughters; three grandsons; three great-grandsons; and many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

In addition to her husband of 33 years, she was preceded in death by her son, Bill; her brother, Eric Miller Jr.; and her close companion, Don Carmody.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, Dec. 4, at Immaculate Conception Church in New Hartford at Noon. Internment will be private. Montano-Shea Funeral Home, New Hartford, has care of the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers and in Shirley’s spirit of charity, the family requests remembrances to Trinita, Foothills Hospice, or a charity of your choice. Visit an online guestbook at Montano-Shea.com.

Latest News

Honoring the past: bearing witness at Auschwitz
Barbed wire at Birkenau.
Natalia Zukerman

Jan. 27 marked the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. I traveled to Poland as part of a delegation for the commemoration and spent a few days before the event with my father and sister learning, remembering and gathering information.

My dad’s parents, Miriam and Yehuda, of blessed memory, were deported to Auschwitz -Birkenau from the Lódz Ghetto. They both had families that perished and met each other after the camp was liberated.

Keep ReadingShow less
Dina La Fonte at Mountainside and the rise of the ‘sober curious’ movement

Dina La Fonte

Photo by Dina La Fonte

The “sober curious” movement has gained momentum in recent years, encouraging individuals to explore life without alcohol—whether for health reasons, personal growth, or simple curiosity. Dina La Fonte, a certified recovery coach, is the Senior Business Affairs Associate at Mountainside, an alcohol and drug addiction treatment center with a holistic approach to wellness that has several locations, including the one in Canaan, Connecticut. With nearly five years of sobriety, La Fonte blends professional expertise with lived experience, making her a powerful advocate for recovery.

Like many, La Fonte’s path to recovery was not just about removing alcohol; it was about rediscovering herself. “Once you get sober from a substance, whether it’s alcohol, drugs, gambling or what have you, emotional aspects of change come into place,” she explained. “It’s not a hard stop; it’s a continued process of integration and struggle.” Her own journey has led her to a career in recovery coaching, allowing her to help others find their own path.

Keep ReadingShow less
Examining Mohawk Mountain’s rich history

James Shay signed copies of his book “Mohawk Mountain Skl Area: The Birth of Snowmaking” after a talk at Hotchkiss Library of Sharon Feb. 2.

Matthew Kreta

The Hotchkiss Library of Sharon hosted local author James Shay Feb. 2 for a talk on his new book “Mohawk Mountain Ski Area: The Birth of Snowmaking.”

The book follows the life of Mohawk founder Walt Schoenknecht and his important contributions to the sport of skiing.

Keep ReadingShow less