Shirleyanne L. Lazzara

Shirleyanne Lavinia Stevenson Lazzara passed away on March 13th, 2024 at 11:25 a.m. in Bellingham, Washington at 83 years old. Born in Vancouver, Canada on March 3rd, 1941, Shirley was the daughter of Robert Stevenson and Maria Principe, and older sister to Loretta Stevenson. She immigrated to the United States in May of 1952 and resided in California for 24 years before moving her family to Bellingham, Washington in 1976, where she lived the remainder of her life.

Before marrying, Shirley became a paralegal and spent her young adulthood traveling the world and living with friends in Newport Beach, California. She met her husband, Salvatore Lazzara, in 1967 on a blind New Year’s Eve date set up by her boss. The pair rang in over 42 new years together until Sal’s death.
Shirley retired in the early 2000s and earned the beloved title of “Nonna” to her 10 grandchildren. She held a perfect record for calling to sing happy birthday each year to her grandkids, and was notorious for sending the loudest possible toys as gifts. Shirley had a true passion for caring for her family and friends—and even the backyard squirrels and Steller’s jays, who received a steady stream of peanuts outside her kitchen window.

During the holidays, Shirley loved to go all out; her home was always meticulously decorated for each season. Her grandchildren have fond memories of weekly family dinners and Christmas Eve parties. With baking skills passed down from her father, she whipped up a legendary assortment of Christmas cookies each year to give to neighbors and mail to faraway loved ones. In her free time, Shirley enjoyed participating in her local Red Hat Society chapter, decorating, sewing, knitting, and spending time with her beloved miniature poodle, Rusty.

Shirley was a devout Catholic, and regularly attended Saturday night mass at Church of the Assumption since her arrival in Bellingham. Shirley spent her final days surrounded by loving friends and family, and kept her sense of humor until the very end. Shirley will be missed dearly, but her family takes comfort knowing she will be with family members who have passed before her.

Shirley was predeceased by her parents, Robert Stevenson and Marie Principe, and her husband, Salvatore Lazzara. Shirley is survived by her sister, Loretta; and four daughters, Julie Webb, Kristi Gray (Jason), Jennifer Lazzara, and Amy Powless (Curtis). She also leaves behind 10 grandchildren: Shelby Morris, Alyssa Morris (Hugo), Julianne Morris, Savannah Webb, Sophia Webb, Joseph Bennett, Sarah Webb, Cecelia Gray, Natalie Gray, and Cody Powless.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30am on March 19th, 2024 at Church of the Assumption. Reception to follow at Westford’s Broadway Hall. She will be interred with her beloved Salvatore in Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Washington.