Shirley R. Ottenstein, age 79, a Darien resident for over 45 years died Friday evening January 30, 2015 in Stamford Hospital after a brief illness. Born in London, England Oct. 1935 she was the daughter of the late Frederick and Rose Goldblatt Gee. Shirley was predeceased by her husband David in 2009. During WWII, Shirley was sent to Morcott Hall to escape the bombing of London and later obtained a G.C.E. in five subjects at Rosary Priory before taking a secretarial course at the Hendon College of Technology. After several secretarial positions, she traveled to Baltimore, Maryland where she met her future husband, David L. Ottenstein, now deceased. Shirley had a broad range of interests, from world travel to the theatre, but her true love was spending time with friends and working with various community groups and organizations as a volunteer, most notably at the New Canaan Library. She was a member and avid supporter of the New Canaan YMCA for many years and greatly enjoyed leading the local International Conversation Group. Shirley is survived by her two sons, Robert Ottenstein and his wife Shawn of NYC, and Neil Ottenstein and his wife Laura of Bowie, MD and her four grandchildren Rachel, Alan, Elizabeth and Claire. A Celebration of Shirley’s Life will be held on Saturday February 7 at 5 PM at the New Canaan Library, please arrive at 4:45 PM in the gallery. Her interment will be private. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the New Canaan Library and the New Canaan YMCA.