Mary Shirley Sebastian

Mary Shirley Cardinali Sebastian, 77, of Florence, died on Sunday, September 23, 2018. Everyone knew her by the name of Shirley, born on May 24, 1941, in Webster, Massachusetts, graduated from Bartlett High School in 1959 and Addison Gilbert Hospital School of Nursing in Gloucester, Massachusetts.She entered the US Navy as a Hospital Corpsman for three years. After completion of her Navy career, she worked at Massachusetts General Hospital for many years, then continued work at various nursing facilities in the Boston area.Later in life she moved to South Carolina where she worked in the Neonatal Unit at Marion Memorial Hospital and other facilities until retirement. Her hobbies included holding several offices in the American Legion Post I for over eight years and scrapbooking for her Florence Little Theater. Her other helpful volunteer work included Women of Philanthropy and Light House Ministries in Florence, SC. She enjoyed travelling, photography and scrapbooking.Her creativity was amazing!!! Her lust for life was great, helping people made her happy and brought great joy to her life!Having fun with cousin Sheila Slates from Connecticut and other friends in the Singles Connections, Louise, Jocelyn and Myana Fore from Mullins, Mary and Doris and other friends were Shirley’s greatest past times, Oh, yes, Cynthia from Southbridge, Massachusetts, who was born two days ahead of Shirley. Cynthia’s mom always stated they gave her the wrong baby in the hospital! She is survived by a son, Scott Alan Nelson of Shrewsbury, Massachusetts; daughter, Melanie Nelson from Myrtle Beach, SC; and grandson, Marc Alan of Myrtle Beach and granddaughter, Sara Ann Nelson of Brookfield, Massachusetts. Her other son, Sean Patrick Nelson, died on February 27, 2017 was dearly loved and missed as were all her children whom she greatly loved. After cremation she will be laid to rest at the Florence National Cemetery on Friday, October 5, 2018 at 11:00 AM. Her final days were surrounded by friends and children whom she so greatly loved.She finally rests and has found peace!