Marianne N. Coalter

Marianne N. Coalter, age 72, of Shirley, Massachusetts peacefully passed away at home after a brief but courageous fight with cancer, surrounded by family, on May 24, 2023. Marianne was born on December 2, 1950, on Fort Devens, Massachusetts, the cherished daughter of Sheila and Master Sargent Ward Tilburg. Marianne attended Henry’s School of Hair Design and graduated from Ayer Senior High School.

Throughout her long and celebrated career, Marianne owned and operated, the Village Beauty Salon and Country Cuts of Shirley. In her personal life, she devoted her time and compassion to giving back to the Veterans of the Shirley Community, whether it was free cuts for Vets or cooking her famous potato salad for the American Legion Post 183. When Marianne first moved to Shirley, she became a part-time EMT, to which she gained lifelong friends. Marianne also had a green thumb and loved to garden. Above all, Marianne cherished time spent with family and friends, hosting lively gatherings, and cooking homemade meals.

Marianne was a beloved mother to Jeffrey deHorsey of Leominster, MA, Jennifer Barbaro and husband Tony of Winchendon, MA and Ryan Harrington of Leominster, MA. The light of her life were her grandchildren, to which she was honored to be a part of: Keith Hines, Casey Benham, Lucas deHorsey, Aislinn deHorsey, Tavish deHorsey, Camren Hines, Colin Hines, Sean Soubosky and Avery Harrington. Marianne also reveled in the fact that she became a great grandmother to Avianna Frushell, Charlotte Benham and Elliot deHorsey.

Marianne was preceded in death by her parents, Sheila and Master Sargent Ward Tilburg, everyone’s cherished Aunt Mary (Mamie) and her beloved husband Thomas Coalter, Jr.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to all the medical professionals who cared for Marianne, but especially to the Highlands at Burbank Campus, for making Marianne feel like the true rockstar that she was. The family would also like to thank Nashoba Hospice and the Team of Caregivers that were devoted and there to help Marianne transition to the Gates of Heaven.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, June 9, 2023, at 11 am at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 12 Phoenix St., Shirley, MA. Marianne has left this world, leaving a warm legacy of hope, love, and laughter. She will be deeply missed but remembered by so many that she considered her life’s tribe.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The DAV Dept. of MA Service Fund, 3 Victory Lane, Gardner, MA 01440, In Memory of Marianne Coalter, to help our local Veterans housing programs.