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Shirley A. Donadio passed away peacefully on Feb. 25, after fighting a long and courageous battle with cancer with her daughter and son-in-law by her side at her home in Branford.

She was the wife of the late Terrance Helminski. Shirley was born in New Haven on Sept. 5, 1950, daughter of the late Frank and Elizabeth Massey Donadio.

She had worked as a paralegal for many years, but her true devotion was as a loving caregiver to her parents in their later years. Shirley loved music, dancing, gardening, and poetry. She was a published poet and a proud member of the International Society of Poetry for many years.

She was the loving mother to Jodi (Ernest) Perno of Boca Raton, Florida, as well as Lola, her beloved Cavalier King Charles spaniel. She was the sister of Frank (Marcia) Donadio of Florida and Karen (Frank) Suppe of Massachusetts.

Funeral arrangements are private. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Shirley’s memory can be made to the Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter, 749 East Main Street, Branford, CT 06405. Find her online guestbook and memorial @www.wsclancy.com.