Shirley Rona (Goldberg) Barer passed away peacefully on July 17, 2025 at Foremost in Sharon.
She was born on April 21, 1931 in Portland, ME to the late Abraham Goldberg and Sophie (Slotsky) Goldberg. She graduated from Westbrook Jr. College in 1949.
Shirley later moved to Boston to work in an executive training program for Filenes. She was married to Melvin L. Barer for 64 years until his passing in 2020. The couple lived in Stoughton for many years. Shirley later continued her education, receiving a BA in Education in 1971, and an MA in Special Education in 1976 from Bridgewater State College. She went on to teach Special Education at the Conley School in Whitman for 19 years. At that time, she was a member of the Altrusa Club of Plymouth County, participating in service, literacy, and fundraising projects. Shirley also served on the Board of Directors of the Brockton Area Association for Retarded Citizens.
After moving to Cape Cod in retirement, she stayed active teaching at The Academy for Lifelong Learning. She also co-founded the Luscious Ladies of Cape Cod Chapter of the Red Hat Society where she enjoyed many activities with friends. She most recently lived at Maplewood at Mayflower Place in West Yarmouth where she wrote poems and taught poetry writing to the other residents.
Shirley is survived by sons Brian Barer, Howard Barer, Stuart Barer and his wife Kathleen Kelley, grandson David Barer, great-grandson Camron Barer, and great-granddaughter Aaliyah Barer.
Memorial services will be private with the family. Donations are welcome in Shirley’s name to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, Grand Central Station P.O. Box 4777, New York, NY 10163 or at michaeljfox.org .
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