Shirley D. (Northover) Cesvette

Shirley D. (Northover) Cesvette, 84, passed on Tuesday, May 19, 2020 at her home in Sharon, surrounded by her loving family. She was born, raised and educated in Jamaica. In 1957, she married Geffard B. Cesvette, and together they shared 63 years of marriage. They lived in Jamaica until 1968 when they moved their young family to the United States and settled in Arlington. After several years in Arlington, they moved to Sharon, which has been their home for the last 35 years. Shirley began working for the Massachusetts Port Authority in 1970, beginning as a bookkeeper and working her way all the way up to the Cash & Investment Manager, retiring in 1995. Her strength and tireless work ethic allowed her to be a devoted wife and mother, while working full time and attending Northeastern University at night to graduate with a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting. She was an accomplished member of the Boston business community, earning a Black Achievers Award. Following her retirement from Massport, she founded Ingénue Salon in the Back Bay and received a Boston Magazine Best of Boston Award in its first year. She continued operating Ingénue for several years. Shirley was a groundbreaker in many ways, always encouraging her family to dream big because anything was possible. She was one of the original members of the Ebony Sisters in Boston and was a member of the Carver Bowling League for many years. Shirley and her husband were long time members of Our Lady of Sorrows church in Sharon. In her free time, she enjoyed going for walks, bowling, seeing musicals and plays, traveling, going on cruises with her family and friends and spending time in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. She enjoyed cooking many delicious traditional Jamaican dishes and was known for her "secret recipe" blueberry cheesecake. Shirley was a devoted mother and grandmother who loved hosting large family gatherings, where everyone was welcome.

In addition to her husband Geffrad, she is survived by her children, Anthony Cesvette and his wife Jacqueline of CT, Wade Cesvette and his longtime companion Ellen Herlihy of Norwood and Keya Smith and her husband Jitu of Randolph. She was the beloved grandmother of Trooper Matthew Cesvette MSP and his wife Tamorra, Denielle and Christian Cesvette, Elliot and Emma White and Jayla and Jelani Smith. She was the loving great grandmother of Capri and Cash Cesvette. Shirley was the sister of the late Norma "Sissy" Smith, Carlton Northover, Rudolph "Ruddy" Northover and Neville Northover. She was the aunt of Kay "Peaches" Ridgard, Richard Smith, Ann Marie Massey, Erle Smith, Maxine Riddick and Ruel Garth Plummer. She was the sister in law of Marjorie Plummer, who was her best friend. She was also survived by her very dear friend Majorie Pullen and many other close family and friends.

Due to Coronavirus Restrictions, Private Family Services were held with burial at Knollwood Memorial Park in Canton. Donations in Shirley's memory may be made to the St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, Memorial Giving, 501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis, TN 38105. Memorial ID 12025118 (https://www.stjude.org)