YARMOUTH — Shirlee “Sue” Collens Bommer, 83, of Yarmouth and formerly of South Dartmouth, Mass., died Friday, March 9, 2012 at The Hospice of Southern Maine after a brief illness while surrounded by her four daughters.

Sue was born on May 9, 1928 in Medford, Mass., the daughter Charles T. and Ruth S. Collens. Prior to residing in Yarmouth, Sue lived in South Dartmouth for 50 years.

She grew up in Newton, Mass. and graduated from Brimmer and May School in 1946. She attended Stephens College in Missouri and graduated with an associate’s degree in Laboratory Technology in 1948. She married William Bommer in 1950. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, attending many sporting events and activities of her grandchildren throughout the years.

While residing in Dartmouth, she pursued many interests and was active in various charitable and local organizations. She was a lifelong member of the South Dartmouth Congregational Church, where she taught Sunday school and was a member of the Couples Club. She served one term as a town selectman. As an avid gardener, birder and tennis player, she was a member of the local garden club and Jolly Lobbers Tennis Association and a lifelong member of the Audubon Society. She and her husband enjoyed golfing and sailing and were active members in The Country Club of New Bedford and The New Bedford Yacht Club. Sue volunteered in the local youth organizations counseling troubled youth and was also a troop leader in the Girl Scouts. Upon her husband’s retirement, she spent many years at their vacation home on Kezar Lake in Lovell.

Sue was predeceased by her husband, William Bommer; and her brother, J. Richardson Collens.

She is survived by her sister, Priscilla Orr; daughters Ruth B. Rosentein of Canton, Conn., Ann B. Flower of Old Lyme, Conn., Dorris C. Bommer of Yarmouth and Martha B. Lawlor of Yarmouth; 10 grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours were held on Wednesday, March 14 at Lindquist Funeral Home, One Mayberry Lane, Yarmouth. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, March 15, at 11 a.m. at the Bigelow Chapel at Mount Auburn Cemetery, 580 Mount Auburn Street, Cambridge, Mass. Burial will follow. A reception will then be held at the chapel. Please visit www.lindquistfuneralhome.com to view photos of Sue and to share your condolences, memories and tributes with her family.

In lieu of flowers, donations on her behalf may be made to: Kezar Lake Watershed Association, P.O. Box 88, Lovell, ME 04051 or Massachusetts Audubon Society, 208 South Great Rd., Lincoln, MA 01773.