Shirley grew up in Portland, Maine. She enjoyed playing sports and hanging out with her sister Pat. They would sneak into the movies when they were younger. Shirley said it was her idea and then she would have a good laugh. Shirley was the proud mother of her three children, Alan, Julie and Bruce. She loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren. And it showed when they visited because Shirley's face would light up with joy. Pure delight for her and them.
Shirley attended First Baptist Church and shared her Spirit with so many people. She touched many people throughout her life and inspired them to be the best they possibly could be. Her Spirit is within these people wherever they have journeyed all over the world. A true gift from such a remarkable women.
Shirley moved to Sagamore village with her 3 small children in 1966. Shirley and her team of close friends were involved in the community whether it was gardening (her own or helping with the Cooperative Extension EFNEP), Nurses Clinic (helped get it started), Food Pantry (helped get it started), Boys and Girls club. Shirley served on numerous boards and committees. She enjoyed driving people to the grocery store, field trips to farms and the list goes on. One thing Shirley would always say: "This it is not only me, it is all of us that contribute, we are a team effort."
She enjoyed the children most of all. By the twinkle in her eye and the smile on her face you knew it brought her great joy. Many of these children have kept in touch with Shirley throughout the years. Shirley was most comfortable in a pair of sweat pants and a TIE DYE shirt. She loved her TIE DYE shirts and anybody that came to visit Shirley would always be greeted with a smile and her wearing a TIE DYE shirt. With the 40 plus years of volunteer service, the Sagamore Community Building was named after Shirley. You can see her name on the building to this day. Shirley was frequently called "the pulse" of Sagamore Village.
During her working years, Shirley worked at Paul Malia Post, VFW, and Zayre/Ames department store.
Some of Shirley's hobbies were gardening, coaching softball, feeding the birds, playing games with her grandchildren, volunteering at the food pantry, driving her friends around on scenic rides and trips to the beach (Old Orchard pier fries was a favorite), Dairy Queen, spending time with her friends at her home, Served on Tenant Council (as treasurer), volunteering and helping others, retrieving carriages for the local stores, Served on the University of Maine Cooperative Extension board, Maine People's Alliance.
Shirley is survived by her children, Julie Ann McFarland and Bruce Wayne McFarland; grandchildren, Tyler McFarland, Eric McFarland, Christopher Ciccolella, Nicholas Ciccolella, Sasha Stetson, and Sage DiFillipo; great Grandchildren, Bruno McFarland, Sophia McFarland, London McFarland, Brody Blodgett, Nevaeh Frank, Dakota Jordan, Hunter Jordan; her close friends, Patricia and Oren Mickulanecz, Helen Mohn, Andrea Bradbury, John Needham, Peggy Akers,Kathy Bragdon (more like a daughter), Lisa Foster and many more.
In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her son, Alan Dale McFarland; a sister, Patricia Deinstadt and her husband Harold.
A celebration of Shirley’s life will be held Sunday, March 26, 2017 from 3-6 p.m. at Jones, Rich & Barnes Funeral Home 199 Woodford St. Portland, ME 04103 with a service starting at 4:30 p.m.
Following services, friends and family are invited to Sagamore Village Community building 21 Popham St. Portland, Maine.
The family would like to thank, John Needham; Maine Medical Center doctors and Nurses, and Lisa Foster for their care and compassion.
Arrangements under the direction of Jones, Rich & Barnes Funeral Home, Portland, ME.
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