Shirley Dirienzo

Shirley Ann (Engelhart) DiRienzo
Shirley DiRienzo, age 79, of Madison, passed away peacefully at home on October 18, 2015, surrounded by her family, after a courageous four year battle with cancer. She was born on March 25, 1936, to Herbert and Lorena Engelhart and was one of ten children. She was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart, Charles. In high school, in order to get her attention, Charles, released a snake into her English class and although the teacher told her that she was too good for him, it worked! Charles and Shirley were married in a double wedding along with Charles' twin brother, Clair and Shirley's sister, Mary, on June 11, 1955. The two families lived side by side and raised their children together, creating a unique bond and one large happy family.
Shirley was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She was a faithful member of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church since 1961. She taught religious education, made salads for funeral luncheons, and washed and ironed altar linens. She enjoyed cooking, baking and gardening. Her backyard was like a nature preserve, and she enjoyed watching all the animals who came to visit daily. She and Charles spent many hours together, holding hands and taking walks. Over the last 15 years, she and Charles brought their family together for annual summer vacations. She always looked forward to the time she was able to spend with her children and grandchildren, as this was her first priority.
She is survived by her husband, Charles; her children, Michael (Rita Wilhelm), Teresa (Tony) Bertini, Tammy (Dennis) Murphy, and Tina (Paul Welna); her grandchildren, Jaclyn Murphy, Joseph Bertini, Michael Murphy, Nicholas and Seth Welna (identical twins) and Austin Bertini. She is also survived by her siblings; Richard Engelhart, Phyllis Henshue, James (Nancy) Engelhart, Carol (Phillip) Overton, William Engelhart, and Charles (Shirley) Engelhart, brother in laws; Clair DiRienzo, Vincent DiRienzo, and Jerome Lemanski; sister in laws; Mona Engelhart and Rosemary Cafferty along with numerous nieces and nephews. She was proceeded in death by her parents, her sisters; Patricia Lemanski, and Mary DiRienzo, her brother Gerald Engelhart, her sister in law Arlene Engelhart, brother in law LaVerne Henshue, nephews; Daniel DiRienzo, Douglas DiRienzo, and Richard Leatherberry; mother and father in law, Vincent and Elsie DiRienzo.
She blessed all who knew her (and everyone she met) with her beauty, grace and kindness. A visitation will be held at 9:30am, Friday, October 23, 2015 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 12:30pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the following: The UW Carbone Cancer Center, Agrace Hospice or St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church.
Mom wanted us to thank the following people for all the love and support they gave to her and the family during her illness: Father Bart Timmerman, the staff and good friends from St. Thomas Aquinas parish; Dr. Frontiera and the Dean Clinic Oncology staff; Agrace Hospice Home Care (Purple Team) and on call staff. The family would also like to thank the delivery staff from National HME, the staff at Culver's in Middleton and the many friends and relatives that have provided prayers, food, cards and support during this journey. Please share your memories of Shirley.


Cress Funeral Home
3610 Speedway Road
Madison, WI 53705
(608) 238-3434