Shirley Veranis Henning passed away peacefully the morning of Sunday, August 11, 2024 at the age of 60.

Shirley was born on June 5, 1964 in Hartford, CT to Charles and Joan Veranis of Windsor, CT. She attended The Gilbert School in Winsted where she became co-captain of her swim team and discovered a love for music, receiving an award for demonstrating "qualities of excellence in musicianship and character." She would go on to attend the Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, MA and graduate with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering in 1986. Shirley worked professionally as a manufacturing engineer and software developer before marrying Randall Henning in 1996 and settling down in DeFuniak Springs, FL in 2002. After the birth of her two children, she devoted the rest of her life to her husband, children, friends, and community.

Her passion for music was rekindled in 2016, when she heard a brass quintet play in Downtown Fort Walton Beach. Inspired, she dusted off her alto saxophone and joined the Walton County Community Band in 2017. Shortly after, she joined Hashtag Swing, where she met her best friend, Dorothy Burress. This band became the pride and joy of her life, and she would continue to play the saxophone until her very last day. She also played in the German band, Polka Dots.

Shirley is survived by her adoring husband Randall and their children Austin and Cay, her mother and father Joan and Charles, her brother Charlie of Durham, CT, her sister Cynthia Langille of Milton, FL, and her step-children Joshua and Kaitlyn.

A Mass and celebration of life will be held at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Milton, FL on Friday, August 23 at 3:00 PM.

Flowers may be sent via The Open Rose in Milton, FL. In addition, or instead of, send flowers to your wife or mother and tell her you will cherish her forever.