Shirley Y. Coates, 87, of Branford, died at her home on March 14. She was the wife of the late Frederick W. Coates, Sr.  Mrs. Coates was born in Branford on Oct. 13, 1925, daughter of the late Albert and Nellie Miner Gell. She had worked at Echlin Manufacturing in Branford for many years.

She is survived by her children Barbara Hinckley and her husband John of East Haven and Thomas A. Coates of Branford; her daughters-in-law Cindy Coates and Winifred Coates; a sister, Janet Coates of Leesburg, Florida; 14 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.  She was predeceased by two sons, Frederick W. Coates, Jr. and David A. Coates; a brother, Ronald Gell; and a sister, Jacqueline Shilinski.

Relatives and friends may call on Wednesday, March 20, from 5 to 7 p.m., with a memorial service at 7 p.m. at the W.S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home, 244 North Main St., Branford. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Branford Ambulance, 45 North Main St., Branford, CT 06405.  For directions and online memorial seewww.wsclancy.com.