North Hartland, VT – Shirlie Anne Kenyon, 82, of North Hartland, died on Sunday, October 16, 2022, at her home with Bernie, her devoted husband of nearly 56 years by her side. She was born on January 9, 1940, in Concord, NH to Charles and Florence (Drew) Flanders and grew up in the Concord area.

Over the course of her life, Shirlie was strong, efficient, and opinionated, never afraid to share how she truly felt. On November 25, 1966, the day after Thanksgiving that year, she married Bernie Kenyon. She helped keep Bernie's trucking and plowing business organized and even enjoyed her time driving a dump truck for a couple of summers.

She was at home in the kitchen and her true passion was cooking. She was excellent in both restaurants (everyone loved her homemade donuts!) and at home, cooking whatever Bernie liked to eat. Over her long career as a cook in the area, she worked at many restaurants and diners; she especially enjoyed her regulars while she owned and operated the Hartford Diner and managed the Sugar House in Royalton. In many of the places she worked, it was alongside her dear friend of 57 years, Nancy Downs; they were always there for one another in both joyful and challenging times. After they both semi-retired, she and Bernie enjoyed spending winters in Florida near Tampa with their many friends from the Upper Valley and Canada.

She is survived by her husband, Bernie of North Hartland; daughter, Koreen Bennet of Sutton, NH; sister, Barbara Kilburn of Lebanon, NH; many grandchildren and great grandchildren; other relatives and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; three children Eileen Schaefer, Keith "Bud" LaFountain, and Lisa Smith; and four siblings Marie Couch, Lawrence Flanders, Prinscella (Princie) Boynton, and Olive Olmsted.

A visitation will be held from 5-7PM on Saturday, October 22, 2022, at Knight Funeral Home in White River Junction and online condolences are appreciated at www.knightfuneralhomes.com