August 30, 2017 – West Bend, WI – Shirley Rose Berganini (Hart) of West Bend passed away on Tuesday, August 29, 2017, surrounded by family at her home on Silver Lake at the age of 81.
Born to Elmer R. and Stephanie (Susnik) Hart on March 31, 1936 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Married to David F. Berganini on July 26, 1958 at Holy Redeemer Church in Milwaukee.
Shirley graduated from Milwaukee Washington High School in June of 1954. Shirley, affectionately known as Honeyhart, married her high school sweetheart and lived a life of adventure and discovery.
Shirley always placed family as the priority throughout her life. Raising her three children was far more than a full-time job that required chauffeuring them to sports and school functions, tutoring them in school work, providing stability in the household and teaching them strong moral values through her actions.
Readily accepting the challenges associated with life married to an Officer in the United States Air Force, her family relocated 26 times including Dayton, OH, Torrance, CA, Herndon, VA, Danbury, CT and Melbourne, FL. Upon retirement, Shirley and Dave built their dream home on Silver Lake.
Shirley was actively engaged in community as a scout leader, team mom, thrift shop coordinator and school volunteer throughout her life. Shirley’s love of words was expressed through her work as a librarian and engineering secretary, years in Book Club and word game challenges.
As a lefty, Shirley was creative with her arts and crafts and cooking leaving a family legacy of beauty and recipes.
Shirley was a fighter, a two-time cancer survivor, who never backed down from a challenge. As she transitions to her final resting place with her parents Elmer R. Hart and Stephanie (Susnik) Hart, Shirley is survived by her loving husband of 59 years, David F. Berganini of West Bend; daughter, Cheryl L. (Lee) Dunn of Palm Bay, FL; sons David F. (Michelle) Berganini Jr. of Geneva, FL and Robert J. Berganini of West Bend, WI; sister, Pat Garcia of West Bend, WI; four grandchildren; Alyssa R. Berganini of Atlanta, GA, Stephanie L. Dunn of Boca Raton, FL, Anthony R. Berganini of Denver CO, and Danielle M. Berganini of Geneva, FL; nephew, Peter Garcia of Sun Prairie, WI and niece, Nina (CJ) Adams of Mukwonago, WI.
Shirley’s loving and caring attitude will always be remembered. At Shirley’s request a Private Memorial for the family will be held at a later date. Special thanks to Horizon Home Hospice. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the charity of your choice.