Following a long life of 91 years, Shirley May Dowdy died peacefully at home of natural causes on June 29, 2019.

Born in Boothbay Harbor on July 25, 1927, she was raised locally until, as a late teenager, she traveled west to seek employment. Meeting her husband in Arizona, they soon took up residence in Texas where he was a native. Living there for about 25 years they produced four children. In the early 1970s, most of the family moved back to her native home, in Edgecomb, where she and her husband remained for the duration of their lives.

Shirley was a successful homemaker for her family, but also saw many years of accomplishment in business as a Tupperware district manager and later as the founder of the Edgecomb City General Store and later as the founder and co-owner of the Edgecomb City Army-Navy Store.

Shirley was predeceased by her husband Leonard, married for 71 years, and is survived by sons John and wife Irma of Houston, Texas, Stephen and wife Sue of Pittston, Maine, Jeff and wife Jennifer of Whitefield, Maine, and daughter Janet James and husband Joel of Gray, Maine. She is also survived by many grandchildren and great-grandchildren across the country.

Burial will be at the veteran's cemetery in Augusta, alongside her husband, date to be announced.