Shirley J. Erickson

Shirley J. (Maguire) Erickson , 84 LOWELL, Mass. -- Shirley J. (Maguire) Erickson, 84, died peacefully Friday, Feb. 27, 2009, at Saints Medical Center in Lowell, Mass., following a long illness. She was the wife of the late Kenneth R. Erickson who died on Feb. 2, 1992. Shirley was born in Portland on July 19, 1924, the daughter of the late Edmund Maguire and Helen (Pollister) Baker. She attended local area schools including Portland High School. Shirley married Kenneth Erickson on Sept. 8, 1946, and celebrated 45 years of marriage before he passed away. They lived most of their life together in Maine before retiring to Florida in 1972. After Ken passed away in 1992, Shirley moved back to Maine to be closer to her family. She was an active member of the Thornton Heights Methodist Church. Shirley was a talented singer and in her earlier years, performing as the vocalist for many area bands. She once even had the honor of singing with Nat King Cole. Shirley is survived by her son, Stephen and his wife Jane of Owego, N.Y.; and three grandchildren, Lisa DeAngelis and her husband Peter of Owego, N.Y., Julie Outman and her husband James of Waverly, N.Y., and Stephen Erickson of Owego, N.Y.; and her eight great-grandchildren, Jane, Alexander, Michael, Katie, Sara and Myia DeAngelis, and Matthew and David Outman. She is also survived by a sister, Nedra A. Devlin of South Portland, a brother, Bradley N. Baker of Hollywood, Fla.; a sister-in-law, Sylvia Sorenson and her husband Dick of Westbrook; as well as many nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Friday, March 6, 2009, from 4-7 p.m. at Hobbs Funeral Home, 230 Cottage Rd., South Portland. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2009, at 9 a.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. Lynn Campbell officiating. Internment will follow at Brooklawn Memorial Park, Portland.