Norma Shirley (Authier) McBroom died Oct. 23, in Tucson, Ariz. after a long and defiant battle against cancer. She was 84.

Born on Nantucket and raised on the Vineyard by her parents, the late Raymond and Cora Authier, Shirley grew up in a large family, with many aunts, uncles, and cousins across the Island. Her passionate love for dogs began in early childhood, and increased throughout her life, especially for her dining partner, Miss Ghillie, her “little sweetheart.” An excellent chef, she helped her mother cook for the Yacht Club in the summers.

Always a voracious reader, she was valedictorian of her class before attending Boston University with thoughts of becoming a doctor.

She met her husband, Bill, while he stationed at Otis Air Force Base. A career service family, they enjoyed living in many different places, both in the United States and overseas, including Michigan, New Jersey, Virginia, North and South Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, and Arizona. Shirley’s favorite place to live was Germany. She loved traveling around Europe, experiencing all the beauty, history, culture, and foods there.

She retained her love of cooking throughout her life, as well as drawing and writing poetry.

Her true joy, however, came from being a wife, mother, and devoted Christian, and creating a loving home for her family, no matter where they were living. Her faith and love of God was strong and unwavering, and would sustain both her and her family through times of adversity.

She was the beloved wife of William E. McBroom, who predeceased her in 2010. She is survived by her son, Raymond McBroom, and his wife, Lucedes, of Tucson, Ariz.; her daughter Lynne McCullen and her husband, Will, of Tucson, Ariz.; her daughter Vicki Peters of West Barnstable; and her sisters Eileen Suitor of Pfugerville, Tex., Claire MacDonald of New London, N.H., and Janet Frink of Falmouth. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Alex McCullen, Ricky McBroom, and Monica McBroom, all of Tucson, Ariz., and Adam Peters of West Barnstable. She was predeceased by her beloved dog Fuzzy and granddog Katie, whom her family knows are waiting for her. She is survived by her granddogs Ghillie, Ollie, Jack, and Bean.