Shirley Mae (Grout) Ratcliffe

Shirley Mae (Grout) Ratcliffe of Ware, MA, passed away peacefully at Cedarbrook Village at Ware on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at the age of 82. She was born in Ware, MA, on August 29, 1942, daughter of the late Irwin M. Grout and Celia (Dziok) Grout. Shirley graduated from Springfield Trade High School and worked for Tambrands, Hampshire Woolen, and Diamond National of Thorndike. She retired from Diamond National after more than 30 years on the job. She was a participant of St. Mary’s Parish and proudly served as a lector for many years. Shirley also volunteered in the kitchen and on the grounds during many a Carnival. She also happily attended Bingo and was a caller on occasion. She enjoyed spending time with her family, but she had a great love for her yellow and red sports cars, Honda and Harley motorcycles, and moped. Shirley Mae was the second born of six children. She is survived by her brother, Robert Grout, and his wife Mary Lee of Leeds, MA, her sister Linda C. Flamand, and her husband Richard of Ware, and her sister, Rebecca Grout, of Ware. She is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews. Pre-deceased are her husband, Douglas Ratcliffe, her brother, Harry Grout of Ware, and her sister, Gloria Jean Maynard of Ludlow. Calling hours will be held Monday, August 25, 2025, from 5pm to 7pm at Cebula Funeral Home, 66 South Street, Ware, MA. A Funeral Mass will be held Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at 10am at St. Mary’s Church, 57 South Street, Ware. Everyone will meet directly in the church on Tuesday morning. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, South Street, Ware, MA. Funeral Services are under the direction of The Koziol Family of Cebula Funeral Home.  For more information and an online guestbook, please visit:  www.cebulafuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Fund or Breast Cancer Fund.

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