Mary Frances Shakespeare, 97, of Freehold Township, died Feb. 21 at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township.
Mrs. Shakespeare was born in Staten Island, N.Y., and was raised in the Sunnyside section of Staten Island. She resided in the St. George and Huguenot sections before moving to Freehold 50 years ago.
Mrs. Shakespeare was a graduate of Curtis High School, Staten Island, class of 1934, and Hunter College, New York, in 1938, where she earned a bachelor of science degree. In 1968, she earned a master of education degree from Wagner College, Staten Island.
Mrs. Shakespeare was a teacher and educator in the New York City public schools.
She was an avid gardener and a member of the Huguenot Garden Club, Staten Island. Mrs. Shakespeare enjoyed theater and was a season ticket holder at the McCarter Theater, Princeton, and the Two River Theater, Red Bank. She also attended productions of the South Street Players, Freehold.
Mrs. Shakespeare enjoyed vacationing at the family home in Lavallette.
Mrs. Shakespeare inspired children to read by taking students on special trips to the library.
She was a member and docent at the Monmouth County Historical Association Museum, Freehold.
Mrs. Shakespeare was the daughter of William H. Madory and Margaret Bonner Madory and was adopted by her stepfather, Joseph Pecoraro, later in life.
She was predeceased by her husband, Lt. Harry Shakespeare, Fire Department of New York; and a sister, Eugenia Vroom, Staten Island. Her brother-in-law, the late Bill Shakespeare, was an All-American football player at the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Ind.
Surviving are two sons, Edward and Dave Shakespeare; three grandchildren, Jennifer Lynn Shakespeare Brown and her husband, Kevin, Laura Jeanne Shakespeare, and Craig Russell Shakespeare; and a great granddaughter, Adelyn Grace Brown.
Funeral arrangements were made by Higgins Memorial Home, 20 Center St., Freehold. The Rev. Scott D. Brown officiated during the visiting hours. Memorial donations may be made to the Freehold Public Library, 28½ E. Main St., Freehold, New Jersey, 07728.