Shirley LeGare

Shirley LeGare, 85, of Crystal Lake passed away peacefully on June 17, 2022. She was born on March 20, 1937, to the late Constantino and Mary Scassellati.

Shirley grew up in Highland Park, IL. She received her B.S. at UW-Madison where she met her first husband, Robert Grossenbach. They married in 1959 and had three daughters. In the early ‘70s, she received her M.S. from NIU and began her career as a counselor at Harper College. After 4 years, she left Harper and continued her career at McHenry County College (MCC) where she spent more than 22 years as a counselor and teacher. She was involved in both the Illinois and National Education Associations and was president of MCC’s Faculty Association.

Shirley was very social throughout her life and would light up a room with her smile. She made a permanent home in Crystal Lake where she participated in many activities and developed strong relationships. Shirley was an active member of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church and volunteered in different capacities within the community. She enjoyed time playing tennis, golf, bunko, and bridge, and joined the Red Hat Society, with whom she enjoyed many social outings. Her many passions included music, travel, gardening, dancing, and painting.

She was always an artistic person, which showed in her beautiful gardens, clothes she sewed for her children and grandchildren, embroidery projects and watercolor paintings. In retirement, she began painting, often using scenes from her travels and gardens as subjects.

Family meant the world to Shirley. She loved supporting her grandchildren in their many activities and always made holidays memorable and special for everyone, especially at Christmas. She enjoyed hosting family gatherings, which often included a rousing game of Chinese Checkers.

Shirley enjoyed her retirement years with her companion Robert “Bob” Ferraro. They enjoyed dinners out, dancing, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

Shirley will be deeply missed by her loving daughters, Marianne (Mark) Raymond, Susan Grossenbach (Greg Keehn), Sarah Novy; five grandchildren, Laura, Michelle, Anthony, Carrie, and Valerie; her nieces, Tina and Cheryl, and nephew, J.R. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Rudolph Scassellati and her companion of sixteen years, Robert Ferraro.

Visitation will be held from 10 AM. until her memorial service at 11:30 AM, Friday, August 12, 2022 at Saint Mary's Episcopal Church, 210 McHenry Ave, Crystal Lake, IL 60014. Inurnment will immediately follow at the church columbarium.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601, www.alz.org