Shirley Faye Crone Kheary, 79, died March 1 after a lengthy illness.

She was the loving wife of the late Arnold W. Kheary for 47 years.

She was born in West Bridgewater. Shirley graduated from Howard High School in West Bridgewater. Shirley was employed by the Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company as a bookkeeper until she started a family.

In 1968, she and her husband and family moved to the Vineyard, where they started Keyland Kitchens. She was treasurer and secretary of the company.

Shirley was a communicant of St. Elizabeth's Church of Edgartown, and served the church as a Sunday school teacher for many years.

First and foremost, she was a loving and devoted mother to her four children, and enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren. She loved the Vineyard: walking on the beach, gathering shells and planting flowers in her garden. She was an avid doll collector, and had many Shirley Temple collectables. She also loved to collect antiques and refinish furniture.

Survivors include two sons, John Kheary of Edgartown and Paul Kheary of San Diego, Calif.; two daughters, Colleen Duffy of Marstons Mills and Lyette Kauffman of Sandwich; and five grandchildren, Courtney Stamatouras of Hull, John Kauffman of Somerville, Krystal Munroe of Manchester, N.H., and Jessica Kheary and Laura Kheary of Barnstable.

A mass of Christian burial was celebrated Tuesday at St. Ann's Catholic Church in West Bridgewater. Interment followed in Pine Hill Cemetery in West Bridgewater. Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association of Cape Cod, 712 Main street, Hyannis, MA 02601 or Beacon Hospice, 8 Samoset street, Plymouth, MA 02360.