Shirley Bililngs

Shirley Arlene (Thuener) Billings (101) of Woodstock, Vermont passed away on August 31, 2026. Shirley was born on January 31, 1925, in Schenectady, New York, the oldest of four children born to Otto Christian Thuener and Esther Charlotte Louise (Kastensmith) Thuener. Growing up in Scotia, New York, Shirley loved school and began working part time at the local supermarket during her junior year. After graduation, she was hired by General Electric Company, with on-the-job training in the accounting department, where she met and later married James Leonard Billings in 1946. Prior to their marriage, Shirley supported the troops during World War II by writing regularly to over twenty soldiers. Shortly after their marriage, Shirley and Jim moved to Amherst, Massachusetts, where she worked at the First National Bank of Amherst and later at Amherst College while Jim attended the University of Massachusetts. After graduation, they moved to Montpelier and then Woodstock, Vermont in 1951 so Jim could begin his career as Windsor County Forester. They lived in Woodstock for 40 years, 36 of those on Golf Avenue where they raised four children: Bonnie Lee, Jerel Alden, Patricia Ann, and Nancy Jane. She was always proud that all four children graduated college.

While living in Woodstock, Shirley continued working part time for several local businesses while the children were growing up. She worked the longest at The Homestead, where she held a variety of positions: Bookkeeper, Treasurer, Finance Chairperson, and member of the Board of Trustees, for a total of 30 years. She also found time for volunteer work for the North Chapel Universalist Church, Woodstock Nursery School, King’s Daughters, Red Cross Blood Bank, and Humane Society.

In 1991, Shirley and Jim sold their Woodstock house and moved to Rochester so Jim could be closer to their woodlot, which they had planted by hand together. They built a house there, where they lived happily for 18 years.

In the summer of 2010, Jim’s failing health necessitated a return to Woodstock to an assisted-living facility. They both enjoyed being back in Woodstock and reconnecting with old friends and acquaintances. After Jim’s death in October of 2010, Shirley moved to Kirby to live with her daughter, Patricia, and family for several years. When an opening at The Homestead came up in 2014, she moved back to Woodstock to very familiar surroundings.

Shirley enjoyed reading and always considered a pile of unread books on her shelf to be “just like money in the bank.” She also enjoyed counted cross stitch, knitting, and puzzling (both crossword and jigsaw). She was a wiz at Scrabble, much to the dismay of her children. She was a skilled seamstress, and she took the time to sew doll clothes and later knit articles for various non-profit craft sales as well as for grandchildren. She was a master pie maker and would bake three pies every Saturday. In both Woodstock and Rochester she enjoyed flower gardening while Jim took care of the vegetable gardens.

She always attributed her good health and longevity to decades of twice-weekly square dancing. Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, husband James, and other loved ones. She is survived by her children: Bonnie Goodrich (Dave Belzak) of Cyr, MT; Patricia McGill (Doug) of Kirby, VT; Jerel Billings (Kathy) of Columbia Station, OH; and Nancy Merrill (Dean) of Ryegate, VT; as well as six grandchildren: Malcolm, Jeffrey, Morgan, Haley, Kelley, and Megan; and four great-grandchildren: Bryson, Tenley, Jace, and Troy.

Donations in Shirley’s memory may be made to The Homestead or The Nature Conservancy in Vermont. Her family would like to acknowledge The Homestead and its dedicated staff for their loving care and support.

Knight Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements and condolences to Shirley’s family may be made at knightfuneralhomes.com