It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Shirley Martellini. Born on December 5, 1956, Shirley left us on March 27, 2025. A vibrant and unique soul, she was known for her free-spirited, easygoing, and often delightfully silly nature. Shirley cherished time with her family and brought laughter and warmth wherever she went.

She is survived by her daughter, Natalie Pagan, and her son, Daniel Rodriguez. Shirley was a beloved grandmother to Michael, Nicolas, Gabriella, Dominic, and Halima. She was predeceased by her mother, Lillian Martellini; her uncle, Carmen Martellini; her grandmother, Maryann Martellini; her aunt, Rosalee Niceforo; and her uncle, Ralph Martellini.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, June 26, 2025, at 11:00 AM at St. Lucy Parish. Burial will follow at 12:30 PM at Elmwood Cemetery, and a reception will take place at 2:00 PM at China Buffet.

Shirley was a proud graduate of Saint Mary’s High School and dedicated over 20 years of service to the Department of Transitional Assistance. Fluent in both American Sign Language and Spanish, she used her gifts to connect with and support others in meaningful ways.

She had a deep love for classic television, often watching Bewitched, I Dream of Jeannie, The Golden Girls, and anything on the ID Channel. She delighted in the flavors of Chinese and Italian food, and she was always up for a spirited game of 45s or Trivial Pursuit, where she never failed to show off her sharp intellect and quick wit.

A lover of words and music, Shirley found inspiration in the works of Jack Kerouac and joy in the sounds of The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Eric Clapton, disco, doo-wop, and hits from the ’60s and ’70s. In her youth, she loved to dance under disco lights and took pride in her heritage, often revisiting the cinematic classic The Godfather.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at: https://everloved.com/life-of…

Shirley’s radiant smile, engaging personality, and unwavering spirit will be dearly missed but never forgotten. Her memory will remain forever etched in the hearts and minds of all who knew and loved her.

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