Shirley A. Charbonneau

Shirley Charbonneau, 82, of Colonie, passed away at home on January 26, 2022. She was born in Troy on July 8, 1939, the beloved daughter of Demetrius and Rose Berdar.

A former resident of Watervliet, she attended St. Patrick's School and Watervliet High School. She retired from the New York State Department of Transportation after almost 30 years. She remained active in her retirement years with traveling, feeding her woodland friends, watching her British TV shows and volunteering at a local hospital and fund raising with the VFW auxiliary.

Shirley was a fantastic mother, sister, aunt, friend, co-worker and neighbor. She never met a stranger and always willing to speak to anyone and everyone with her outgoing personality.

A truly devoted mother, she played the role of both mother and father in a time when that was not common. Despite these struggles she always provided a warm and loving home for her son.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Leo "Hack" Charbonneau, and her sister Joan Bagley.

Shirley is survived by her devoted son William (Christina) Schermerhorn, and nephews James and Donald Bagley , nieces Gail Hudson and Susan Kane and her beloved grandpups, Winston and Gracie

A special thanks to Mr. John Smith for always being there when she needed him most.


In Shirley's memory, a donation to the USS Slater Historical Foundation would be appreciated.