Shirley Barbara Carswell

Shirley Barbara Carswell, 88 SACO -- Shirley Barbara Carswell, 88, died peacefully at home on Feb. 27, 2009. She will be sadly missed by her family and friends. Shirley was born in Vassalboro on Aug. 12, 1920, the daughter of Harvey and Elsa Clement Crosby. After graduation from Cony High School in 1937 and Kents Hill Junior College in 1938, Shirley worked for the Sate of Maine License Bureau in Augusta. In 1940 she married Charles G. Carswell. A few years later they settled in southern Maine. Shirley retired from the University of Southern Maine Library in 2001, at the age of 80, after 29 years of service. Shirley will be remembered as a fun loving person who overcame tragedy in her own life through her faith and positive spirit. She found joy in the simplicities of life and was always ready for adventure or a game of Scrabble. She was predeceased by her parents; a brother Harvey Stanley Crosby Jr., a sister Camilla Joyce Wilson; her son Stephen Carswell; and a niece, Lois Jean Sellars. She is survived by her daughter Cheryl Ann Carswell of Owl's Head; sister Susan Crosby Jacques of Vassalboro and Pompano Beach, Fla.; daughter-in-law Dawn Trowhella of England, adopted daughter-in-law Sandra Doughty of Saco; grandson SSC Eric Carswell, wife Ginnie and great-grandson Conrad Carswell of Fort Bragg, N.C.; granddaughter Shannon Doughty and partner Carmilla Green of Durham, nephew Craig B. Wilson and wife Sharon of Steep Falls, niece Linda Alice Hannan and partner Tammy McLaughlin of Newport, N.H.; and several cousins. Shirley's family is especially grateful to Sandy Doughty and very special friend Karin Wiley for their love and care that allowed Shirley to remain independent in her later years. Services will be held at Jones, Rich and Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St., Portland, on Saturday, March 7. Visiting hours will be held from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., with a funeral service from 12 to 1 p.m. at the funeral home. A Church service in celebration of her life will be at 2 p.m. at the North Saco Congregational Church, at the corner of Flag Pond Road and Heath Road, Saco. You are invited to share your thoughts, condolences, and fond memories with the Carswell family by visiting Shirley's guest book at www.mem.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: The Conrad Carswell College Fund Care of Eric Carswell 6479 Chamblee Dr. Fayetteville, North Carolina 28306 This is a fund being set up for the college education of Shirley's great-grandson, Conrad Carswell. Shirley Barbara Carswell Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home & Cremation Service 775-3763