Born on September 21, 1922 in Lincoln, Nebraska, Shirley Krieger Sallee was the first of four children of Louis William and Blanche Rogers Krieger. She was followed by a younger sister Janie in 1924, brothers William Louis in 1928, and George Jerome in 1931. The Kriegers were a close-knit midwestern family with German and Pennsylvania Dutch origins. Shirley spent her entire childhood in the Havelock neighborhood of Lincoln, Nebraska. Shirley excelled in her studies and, as was more customary at the time than now, was moved ahead a grade and graduated early from high school in 1939. She began dating William M. Sallee, a neighbor in the Havelock area, during high school. The bombing of Pearl Harbor and the start of World War II propelled William's enlistment into the Marine Corps. Shirley joined him in California once he enlisted, where they married on October 31, 1942. Shirley, like many of the women in earlier generations of her family, had interest and talent in handwork and sewing. Her paternal grandmother made a living knitting, sewing and tailoring for women through various department stores in the Lincoln area. From that grandmother and from her mother, Shirley learned to sew, knit, embroider, and quilt. This early training eventually led to Shirley's deep passion for hand piecing and quilting. Shirley and her husband had six children, William Louis, born in 1943, followed by Diane in 1949, Kathleen in 1951, Mary Lou in 1952, Maureen in 1954, and Cynthia in 1957. The Sallee family lived in the Denver area from 1952 until 1967, in Sudbury, Massachusetts from 1967 to 1970, and in Wausau, Wisconsin from 1970 until 1988. William and Shirley returned to New England following his retirement and settled in Derry, New Hampshire. Shirley's husband passed away on December 31, 1994. Shirley stayed in her home in Derry until December 2008 at which time she moved to Sunrise of Weston. In 1970, after moving to Wausau, Wisconsin, Shirley decided to try out a quilting project, mostly to allay loneliness and homesickness following the family's move from New England. She joined Pine Tree Quilters, a small group interested in what was, at the time, an unusual hobby: hand piecing and quilting. Quilting stores were hard to find, as were pure cotton fabrics, both now common. For Shirley, this experiment in quilting launched a new creative life. What ensued was a 25-year period of profound creative productivity. Shirley hand-pieced and hand-quilted full size quilts in traditional patterns for each of her four daughters and an Amish wallhanging for her son. She went on to create seven additional full size quilts, also in traditional patterns but with original quilting designs and fabrics. Her quilts were awarded first or second place ribbons, or Best of Show in nearly every quilt show in which they were entered. She entered quilts in national shows including the renowned one in Paducah, Kentucky. Her skill and expertise will live on in her children and grandchildren, many of whom she taught to piece and quilt-but few quilters could match her eye for design and color or her finesse with a needle. Shirley was known for her warm and gracious personality as well as exceptional patience and perseverance. Children, young people and adults all responded to her even disposition and warm smile. Her family and friends will miss her sense of humor and generosity. Arrangements are under the care of Dee Funeral Home of Concord, Susan M. Dee and Charles W. Dee, Jr. Funeral Directors. Memorials: Contributions in her memory may be made to Alzheimer's Association, 311 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA 02472. Cemetery: Private burial at a later date Visitation: Visitation will be on Friday, April 29th at the Dee Funeral Home, 27 Bedford Street, Concord Center from 4 to 7 PM. Service: Funeral will be held on Saturday, April 30th from the Dee Funeral Home, 27 Bedford Street, Concord Center at8:30 AM followed by a funeral Mass at 10 AM in St. Joseph's Church, 142Lincoln Street, Lincoln, Massachusetts.