Andover - After a full life of 96 years, Shirley Rita (Fern) Levinson passed away peacefully on March 10, 2026. Shirley grew up in New London, Connecticut and lived in New York City after college, then spent most of her adult life in Massachusetts. For the past several years she was a resident at Newbridge Hebrew Senior Life. No matter where she lived, her life was rich with family and friends.

Born to Mae and Sam Fern in New London, Shirley was the sister of the late Sanford Fern of Rhode Island and is survived by her younger brother, Saul Fern of New Jersey. Shirley was married to the late Robert P. Levinson ("Bob") and raised three children: Karyl Levinson Conescu, Alyssa Myres, and the late Harris Richard Levinson. She was "Grammy" to four grandchildren Reva Conescu, Benjamin Conescu, Jordan Myres, Sarah Myres and great- grandmother to Wesley Conescu, Myles May, and Elizabeth Myres.

After Bob passed away in 1980, Shirley married the late Carl Caplan, expanding her family to include stepchildren, Stacey Caplan and Peter Caplan and three step grandchildren, Jake Prince, Lindsay Barre, Brett Caplan, and step great granddaughter Lyla Barre. Her extended family also included son-in-laws Josh Conescu and Dade Myres as well as daughter-in-law, Susan Caplan.

Shirley earned a sociology degree from Syracuse University and later received a master's degree in library science from Simmons College. She went on to work as a corporate librarian for several years at AVCO/Textron Defense Systems.

Community was an integral part of Shirley's life-whether socializing with and entertaining and cooking for family and friends or volunteering at many organizations, she was always interacting with and helping others whether she lived In Andover, Amesbury, or Tewksbury, MA. Her volunteer work included involvement with the New England Home for Little Wanderers, teaching English to newly arrived Russian immigrants in the Merrimack Valley, becoming a certified CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) – and also serving as an ombudsperson for elder care. She also remained an active member of Temple Emanuel in Andover for many years.

Shirley was laid to rest in Temple Emanuel's Cemetery beside her first husband, Bob, near her second husband, Carl, and surrounded in spirit by many more family members and lifelong friends. For online condolences go to www.goldmanfc.com. Arrangements by Goldman Funeral Chapel, Malden.