Marian Eye-Williams

Marian (Shirley) Eye-Williams
1928 - 2015
LITCHFIELD & Portland - Marian (Shirley) Eye-Williams, 86, formerly of Litchfield, passed away with grace and dignity on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015, at the Gosnell Hospice House in Scarborough. In March of 2014, Shirley left her home of nearly 50 years in Litchfield and moved to Portland to be near her family. Upon moving to Portland, Shirley resided at the beautiful and gracious assisted living facility, The Birchwoods at Canco, where she lived the remainder of her life in an environment that she truly loved and where she was surrounded by love, comfort and luxury.
Shirley was born in Calais, on Dec. 20, 1928, the middle child of Chester Eye and Mary Elizabeth (Bessie) Edmonds (Eye) Nash. Shirley moved to Gardiner with her family in 1943, where she attended Gardiner High School, graduating in 1945.
In 1946, she married her high school sweet heart, Robert (Bob) Williams, and were the parents of three sons. Shirley and Bob were married for 61 years, until Bob's death in 2008, at the age of 80.
During her working years, Shirley worked at A&P Supermarket and Laverdiere's Drug Store in Gardiner. She later worked at her mother's restaurant in Augusta, "Bessie's Restaurant." The majority of her working years were at Health Tex, in Gardiner, where she worked many long and hard years as a stitcher of children's clothing and generating many friendships. While at Health Tex, Shirley was actively involved in the union and held many different positions in the ACTWU.
In the 1960s Shirley was a member of the Litchfield Ladies Rifle and Pistol Club in Litchfield. During her membership, Shirley was the recipient of many awards and trophies for her expert marksmanship. Her hobbies also included growing Gladiolus, her favorite flower. She would plant fields full just to give away so others could enjoy them as much as she did. Shirley was also a very talented sewer, she loved to knit and crochet, creating hundreds of beautiful pieces of work.
After the closing of Health Tex, she and Bob began their retirement by traveling across country in their Winnebago, a trip that they talked about for years.
Shirley was predeceased by her husband Bob in 2008; her father in 1947; her brother Don Eye in 1985; and her mother in 2003. She is survived by her three sons, Daniel of Brunswick, Jeffery of Portland and Laurel of Litchfield; her beloved granddaughter, Shannon (Williams) May and her husband Chris of Westbrook and their sons, Shirley's great-grandsons, Ashton and Quentyn May; her sister Thelma Goggin Brooks of Waterville; three nieces and a nephew; her former daughter-in-law, Sue Bolduc of Waterville; and dear friend Ruth Travers of Litchfield.
Shirley will be greatly missed by all that knew this remarkable and strong woman, but find peace knowing that she lived a long life and is now with those she loved that have been waiting for her.
Her family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff at the Birchwoods at Canco. Finally, the staff at the Gosnell Hospice House for their loving care, support and compassion during Shirley's final days. You are all truly angels.
Please join the celebration of her life at Staples Funeral Home in Gardiner during the visiting hours on Friday, Aug. 14, from 4-7 p.m.