05/27/2026
Shirley Despres
On May 23, 2026, Shirley Ann Despres passed away peacefully with her family at her side. Shirley was born the second eldest child to Emile and Margaret (Murphy) LaSalle on August 20, 1942. She was raised in Nashua, NH, graduating from Nashua High School in 1960.
She married her high school sweetheart, Ron Despres, in 1962 and moved to California. While her husband completed his military service commitment, Shirley worked in the office at the naval base in San Diego. The couple would return to Nashua by 1964, and over the next several years welcome the arrival of their 3 children, Barbara, Deborah, and Matthew.
By the early ‘70s, now with a family in tow, Ron and Shirley returned to California where Shirley got her real estate license and began working at Don McBride Realty in Brea. She would soon claim a few top salesman awards. Shirley was also a PTA mom and coached her daughters’ softball teams while living in California.
Returning to their New Hampshire roots in 1976, the family settled in Jaffrey, establishing Ron Despres Realtors (Despres and Associates today). Shirley served as the bookkeeper, then the property manager and rental agent, and once her children were grown, she returned to listing and selling property too. She enjoyed being a real estate broker and helping people achieve their goals of homeownership. Throughout her decades long career, her dealings with people were always personal, and she worked dutifully to secure the best outcome for each client. She became a force in her own right in the local real estate industry. She committed countless hours to serving on various committees for the Contoocook Valley Board of Realtors. She was also the CVBR Treasurer for many years. She was named CVBR Realtor of the Year in both 2001 and 2006.
Shirley served on the Program Management Committee for Shelter from the Storm and supported countless fundraisers for local non-profits. She sang in the choir at St. Patrick Church and also at Divine Mercy for many years - she enjoyed all kinds of music, especially anything with a peppy beat. She loved many pets throughout her lifetime, and was nearly inseparable from her cat, Phoebe, in her final years.
Travels to Ireland, Bermuda, Canada, and the seacoast were among her favorites, but she most enjoyed simply gathering with her family, sharing holidays filled with laughter. She was a great mom and a dedicated wife. Shirley will be forever remembered for her infectious laugh, wonderful sense of humor, her integrity, and compassionate and generous heart—and also for some pretty impressive dance moves.
The family remains forever grateful to the long list of home caregivers that enabled Shirley to live independently as long as possible, and to the wonderful staff at RiverMead in Peterborough, but most especially, to Maria Towers, RN, caregiver extraordinaire.
Shirley is survived by her children, Barbara Despres and her friend John Fedier of Fitzwilliam, NH, Deborah Despres and her husband Jeff Hadad of Peterborough, NH, Matthew Despres and his wife Tracy of Rindge, NH, four grandchildren: Tim Pedersen, Kelsey Pedersen, Bailey Despres, and Regan Despres. She is also survived by her sisters, Margaret Cardin of Wolfeboro, NH, and Patricia Whitney and her husband David of Holderness, NH, and sister-in-law Christine LaSalle of Venice, FL. She was loved and admired by her many extended family members on both the Despres and LaSalle sides of the family.
She was pre-deceased by her husband of 46 years, Ronald N. Despres; her brother, Thomas LaSalle, and her brother-in-law, Russell Cardin.
Family and friends are invited to calling hours on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, from 4:00 – 6:00pm at the Cournoyer Funeral Home, 33 River Street, Jaffrey.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, June 4, 2026, at 10:00 AM, in Saint Patrick Church, 89 Main Street, Jaffrey. Shirley will be buried with her husband in Saint Patrick Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Shirley’s name to Monadnock Kitty Rescue and Adoption, PO Box 468, Jaffrey, NH 03452, or to Shelter from the Storm, PO Box 257, Jaffrey, NH 03452.
View Shirley Despres's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.
