1934 – 2022

SOUTH GARDINER – Shirley Mae Eldridge, 87, of south Gardiner, Maine, died Friday, June 3rd, 2022, at the Marshwood Center, in Lewiston, with her family by her side.

She was born in Gardiner, Maine on September, 8, 1934, the daughter of Fredrick and Myra (Cookson) Brown, and was raised in south Gardiner. She worked at various Shoe Shop’s, AMHI, and as a voting clerk.

Shirley loved to shop, have fun, listening to music, attending concerts, and gatherings, parties, camping, and Friday night Pe-ke-no with the girls. She truly enjoyed life, and was a member of the 4 Clover Club.

She was predeceased by her parents, Fredrick and Myra (Cookson) Brown, brother, Fredrick Brown, and sister, Louise (Brown) Smith.

Shirley is survived by her four children, Robert I Eldridge Jr., of China, Roseanne Ahearn and son-in-law Peter Ahearn, of So. Gardiner, Anthony Eldridge, of Freeport, and Corey Eldridge and daughter- in-law Tricia Eldridge, of West Gardiner; eight grandchildren, and ten great grandchildren.

Private family visitation and funeral will be held, and burial will take place beside her husband at the Mt. Hope Cemetery, in South Gardiner.

Arrangements are entrusted with Staples Funeral Home and Cremation Care, 53 Brunswick Avenue, Gardiner, Maine. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the Staples Funeral Home website, www.staplesfuneralhome.com