Shirley P. MacLeod

Shirley P. MacLeod, age 91 of Lakewood, passed away on Friday, December 19, 2025.

Born and raised in Paterson as an only child to Sterli and Louise Molteni, Shirley grew up with a love for ballroom dancing and cherished memories of family picnics and trips to the beach in Atlantic City. During these early years, she also developed a passion for photography that would stay with her throughout her life.

After graduating from Central High School in Paterson, Shirley began her professional career as a secretary at Prudential Incorporated before moving to Metropolitan Life, where she worked until her retirement in the late 1990s.

Shirley met and fell in love with Anton Hartman, and the two married. He lovingly became a father to her daughter Karen, and together they shared a happy marriage until his untimely passing in 1969. After his passing, Shirley found comfort and companionship with James MacLeod, with whom she spent the next twenty-five years until his passing in 2006.

Though not naturally athletic, Shirley embraced roller skating when her daughter Karen took up the sport, and it became a beloved family tradition. The two would go to the Paramus Roller Rink regularly, where they joined a skating group that became like family. Every Sunday, the group gathered at Cold Spring Lake to enjoy the beach and share picnics together. 

In her later years, Shirley enjoyed collecting dolls, especially the Shirley Temple Dolls after which she was named. She was an active member of the Leisure Village Doll Club and found peace watching the waves roll in at the ocean and spending time with her family. Easy-going yet occasionally stubborn, Shirley was quiet but very sociable and quick to make friends. She will be dearly missed.

Shirley is predeceased by her husband Anton Hartman, her companion James MacLeod, and her parents Sterli Molteni and Louise Molteni. 

Shirley is survived by her daughter Karen Zimin and her Husband Al Zimin; her grandkids: Alex Zimin and his wife Paula Zimin, and Paul Zimin and his wife Robin Butler; and her great grandkids: Lautner and Landon Zimin, and Lainey and Liv Zimin.