Shirley A. Knell

Shirley A. (Gouveia) Knell, age 80, passed away on November 1, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.

She was the wife of the late Thomas W. Knell.

Born in Taunton, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Clara (Cambra) Gouveia.

Shirley Knell was an amazing woman. She was kind, loving but not afraid to tell you the real truth if necessary. She graduated from Taunton High School and became an administrative assistant at the school soon after. She went on to work at many different places, but the work that defined her was at both Bridgewater University and U Mass Amherst. She retired from Bridgewater in 2012. She said she first took the job to get her kids free tuition. She traveled around the United States including Hawaii, raising two kids largely on her own, always missing her family at home. She was all about her family and friends, her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

After the love of her life passed away, She lived independently for the most part. She would always say, “I’m alone, but I’m not lonely.” Some of that time she was joined by her grandsons. She loved reading and camping with friends and family and was on the forever search for the best sweet potato fries. She cheered on the Patriots whenever they played. She liked to read and watch old movies, especially westerns.

She is survived by her children; William Hodgson and wife Anielia, Victoria Warner and husband Wade, grandchildren; Barrett Hodgson, Torrin Hodgson, Matthew McKearney and his significant other Kalla Robb, Joshua McKearney and wife Kayla, Sarah Laflin and husband James, Samuel Warner, and Emily Warner. Her great-grandchildren were Noah McKearney, Ever Laflin, and Dak Laflin. brothers; Robert Gouveia, Joseph Gouveia and several nieces and nephews. She was the sister of the late Norman Gouveia, Ruth Frizado and sister-in-law of the late Blanche Gouveia.

Mrs. Knells’ funeral will be held on Friday, November 7, 2025, at 8:30 am from the Silva Funeral Home 80 Broadway (at Saint Mary’s Square) Taunton, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00am in Holy Family Church Middleboro Avenue, East Taunton.

Burial will be held privately.

Visiting hours will be held on Thursday November 6th from 5 to 7pm in the Silva Funeral Home. Additional parking with handicap access is located on the North side of the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts made to the charity of your choice in Shirley’s memory, would be deeply appreciated.

For expressions of sympathy, to sign an online guestbook, to plant a tree in her memory or to light a memorial candle, visit www.silvafuneralhome.com.