Shirley moved to Guilford in 1966, when the town had just one traffic light and a population of 7,500. A few years later, she and her husband made a simple yet defining decision: they would never leave. Guilford became the place where they raised their three sons and built a life rooted in family and community. While raising her family, Shirley ran a floral design business for 20 years and volunteered extensively with her church, creating flower arrangements and liturgical designs for 17 years. This work quietly laid the foundation for a lifetime of civic engagement.

Her first involvement outside her church was with the Guilford Preservation Alliance in 1980, the organization that would become central to her legacy. She was invited to join the board, served for 10 years, including 5 as president, and returned in 2010, remaining active to date. Under Shirley’s leadership, GPA expanded its role in protecting Guilford’s historic character while strengthening the town’s economic base through heritage tourism. She secured a $30,000 state preservation grant to document more than 250 architecturally significant properties and cemeteries and later spearheaded the creation of tourism kiosks and an interactive information program, raising $115,000 to make the project a reality.

Shirley’s impact extends far beyond preservation. She played a pivotal role in establishing Guilford’s Land Acquisition Commission, helping protect key properties from overdevelopment. She also established the Scenic Roads Committee and the Tree Advisory Board, efforts that led to the designation of Routes 146 and 77 as scenic roads. She supported community-wide projects, such as Witness to History: Slavery in Guilford, and the launch of the Guilford Food Bank.

In 1990, Shirley founded the Women and Family Life Center with a dedicated group of volunteers after recognizing unmet needs among women seeking legal, financial, and educational support. She secured state funding, opened the center, and ran it for two years as an unpaid volunteer, with an early focus on domestic violence and children’s services. More than 35 years later, the Women and Family Life Center remains a vital community resource, providing education, advocacy, and support services that continue to strengthen individuals and families throughout Guilford and surrounding towns.

A passionate advocate for beauty and environmental stewardship, Shirley has been a member of the Guilford Garden Club for 57 years and helped create beloved traditions such as the Walk on Broad Street. She later partnered with the Chairman of the UConn School of Landscape Architecture to develop a Route 1 tree planting master plan, with support from the Guilford Garden Club and The Guilford Foundation, resulting in the planting of 100 additional trees and the passage of a town ordinance requiring trees in new development.

Through the Guilford Preservation Alliance, she led an ambitious tree planting initiative that resulted in 450 trees planted across the 23 streets of Guilford’s old borough, from Route 1 to the Marina and from Boston Street to the Water Street Bridge. Shirley secured funding through a Small Business Administration grant and additional grants to bring the project to life.

Shirley also served on the Planning and Zoning Commission for a decade, including as chair, where she was known for her integrity, clarity, and ability to turn vision into action, often starting with little more than determination and a belief that something better was possible. Her leadership has had a profound and lasting impact on Guilford.

First Selectman Matt Hoey said, “Shirley Girioni represents the very best of Guilford. Through decades of service, she has shaped the character of our town with vision, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to preserving what makes Guilford special while strengthening it for the future. Her impact can be seen not just in our landscapes and institutions, but in the values she has helped instill across our community.”

In recognition of her extraordinary contributions, the Town of Guilford proclaimed December 13, 2024, as Shirley Girioni Day, and the visitor center kiosk will be renamed in her honor.

The Shirley Girioni Fund honors a remarkable woman and ensures that her legacy of preservation, service, beauty, and civic leadership continues to strengthen Guilford for generations to come. As an unrestricted fund, it provides The Guilford Foundation with the flexibility to invest its income where it is most needed, addressing both current priorities and future needs of the town and its residents.