Shirley (Rosenthal) Juran, 91, of Manchester, passed away on Tuesday, February 23, 2016, at St. Francis Hospital in Hartford, surrounded by her loving family. Shirley was the daughter of the late Bessie (Brownstein) and Harry Rosenthal. She graduated from Weaver High School in Hartford and attended Hartford College for Women before graduating Phi Beta Kappa from The Ohio State University, where she met the love of her life, Leo Juran, of Houston who predeceased her in 2002. Following their marriage after World War II, Shirley began her career as a social worker, first in Memphis and then in Hartford. When Leo opened the Fairway in Manchester in 1955, Shirley worked by his side for 28 years in this beloved mainstay of Main Street until 1983. She returned to college to continue her education after the birth of her two daughters, receiving a M.Ed from the University of Hartford. When the Fairway closed in 1983, Shirley devoted the next thirty-three years of her life to helping those less fortunate than herself. She embodied the Jewish concept of Tikkun Olam, “mending the world”, giving her time, energy, and leadership to numerous civic, religious and non-profit organizations. As a member of Beth Sholom B’nai Israel Synagogue in Manchester, she helped spearhead the Synagogue’s Social Action Committee, serving as a liaison from the Synagogue to the Covenant to Care Program, connecting volunteers and donors to meet the needs of Connecticut’s children who are neglected, abused and/or impoverished. Her lifelong interest in children’s education led her to serve as a liaison from the Synagogue to Manchester Head Start, where she served on the Policy Committee. Her efforts were legendary. There are children wearing beautiful outfits and warm snowsuits thanks to her clothing drive, and mothers and others wearing jewelry given to them by their Head Start children thanks to her Mother’s Day Gift Shopping initiative. Literacy was a lifelong passion. She created the library at Manchester Green Elementary School, which her children attended. in later years, she was a member of the Synagogue’s library committee, and volunteered as a reading tutor with the Hartford Jewish Coalition for Literacy in Manchester’s elementary schools. In Manchester, she participated on ‘Agenda for Tomorrow’ for the Housing Committee, and was a member of the Manchester Community Services Council. She was also a member of the Manchester Senior Citizens Center, and a lifetime member of Hadassah. Conscientious and committed, Mrs. Juran recognized how difficult it was for low-income and disadvantaged families to purchase basic necessities. She started the Social Action Committee at Temple Beth Shalom B’nai Israel, to provide appliances, furniture, clothing, food, and toys to families in need. As a Board Member of Head Start, she devoted her energy to guaranteeing low-income children a better future. One of her favorite projects was helping the children create and give Mother’s Day gifts. In 1992, B’nai Brith awarded Shirley and Leo Juran the Community Service Award for “exemplifying the true meaning of Tzedakah, giving of their time and energy to the special needs of our community.” In 2013, Ms. Juran was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award for her work in social action from Temple Beth Sholom B’nai Israel, where she and her late husband were members since 1952. Throughout her life, Mrs. Juran was a “connector” who stayed in touch frequently with family and friends and found ways to involve people in causes she supported. Her current address book included friends from kindergarten, high school and college, as well as her extended family and extensive network of friends. She was an avid gardener, environmental activist, dancer, and bridge player. She loved UConn basketball, Downton Abbey, the opera, and live theatre. She will be greatly missed by her children, Marcy Juran of Westport CT and Daryl Juran of Needham MA, and her grandchildren, Noah Dinkin, Neil Farbstein, Sara Dinkin, and Sondra Farbstein. her beloved grand dog and cat, Osito and Lulu, as well as her extended family. The family wishes to thank the hospice staff at St Francis Hospital and Dr. Danny Korkmaz and Dr. Gordon Brodie for their extraordinary care and love. Donations in Shirley’s memory may be made to Covenant to Care for Children (covenanttocare.org), Temple Beth Sholom B’nai Israel Social Action Fund, or the charity of your choice . Family and friends will gather at 11 am on Friday, February 26, at Temple Beth Sholom B’nai Israel, 400 Middle Turnpike East in Manchester. Burial will follow at the Town Cemetery, 157 Autumn Street in Manchester. Friends and family are invited to share memories at the Arbors, 403 West Center St in Manchester from 2 – 4:30 pm on Friday, February 26. Arrangements are entrusted to Weinstein Mortuary, Hartford, CT. For further information, directions, or to sign the guest book for Shirley Juran, please visit online at www.weinsteinmortuary.com/funerals.cfm.