YARMOUTH — Shirlee “Sue” Collens Bommer, 83, died March 9 at Hospice of Southern Maine after a brief illness.

She was born May 9, 1928 in Medford, Mass., to Charles T. and Ruth S. Collens.

She grew up in Newton, Mass. and graduated from Brimmer and May School in 1946. She then attended Stephens College in Missouri and graduated with an associates degree in laboratory technology in 1948. She married William Bommer in 1950. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, attending many sporting events and activities of her grandchildren throughout the years.

Prior to moving to Yarmouth, she lived in Dartmouth, Mass. for 50 years. While there she was active in various charitable and local organizations, including the South Dartmouth Congregational Church where she taught Sunday School and was a member of the Couples Club. She served one term as a town selectman. As an avid gardener, birder and tennis player, she was a member of the local garden club, Jolly Lobbers Tennis Association and a lifelong member of the Audubon Society.

She and her husband enjoyed golfing and sailing and were active members in the country club of New Bedford and the New Bedford Yacht Club. She volunteered in the local youth organizations, counseling troubled youth and was also a troop leader in the Girl Scouts.

Bommer was predeceased by her husband, William Bommer; and brother J. Richardson Collens.

She is survived by sister Priscilla Orr; daughters, Ruth B. Rosenstein and her husband, Ronald, of Canton, Conn., Ann B. Flower and her husband, John, of Old Lyme, Conn., Dorris C. Bommer of Yarmouth and Martha B. Lawlor and her husband, Peter, of Yarmouth; grandchildren, Sarah and Jake Rosenstein, Marha and Wiley Flower, Elijah and John Meyers; Emma (Meyers) and David Watson, Alexander and Christopher Lawlor; and several nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours were held on March 14 at Lindquist Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on March 15 at 11 a.m. at the Begelow Chapel at Mount Auburn Cemetery, 580 Mount Auburn St., Cambridge, MA.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Kezar Lake Watershed Association, P.O. Box 88, Lovell, ME 04051 or Massachusetts Audubon Society, 208 South Great Road, Lincoln, MA 01773.

Copy the Story Link