Shirley T. Colton

Shirley Colton Obituary

Shirley T. Colton, 83 SCARBOROUGH -- Shirley T. Colton, Born Dec. 19, 1926 in Westbrook to the late Frank I. and Frances E. Robinson passed away at the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House after a brief illness. She lived in Westbrook most of her life until meeting her husband, Maurice and then resided with him in Portland. As a young girl, she developed tuberculosis and was sent away to a Sanitarium in Norway, ME to recover from this life threatening disease. Shirley graduated from Westbrook High School in 1944 and went on to graduate from Cosmetology School. She worked at the Barron Center for 24 years before retiring in 1986. Shirley was a very religious, kind and gentle woman who often went to Mass everyday. She enjoyed exercise class, politics, visiting with family and friends and trips to Ken's at Pine Port with her husband, her weekly visits with her children and their dogs (Emmet, Henry and Roy). She was predeceased by her parents and a sister, Elaine Robinson. She is survived by her loving and caring husband of 24 years, Maurice Colton, Jr. of Portland. She was very proud of her three children that she raised on her own, Mark Mitchell and his wife Gail of Barrington, N.H., Terri Gulliver and her husband Bruce of South Portland, and Jay Mitchell and his wife of Tonya of Windham. She is survived by four step children, Maurice Colton III and his wife, Kathleen of Matinicus Island, Ronald Colton of Biddeford, Christine Rohman and her husband Robert of Portland and Karen Dobransky and her husband Glenn of Casco; six grandchildren, six step-grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. The family would like to thank 5th floor staff at Mercy Hospital and all of the caring staff at the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House for the quality care that Shirley received. At the request of Shirley, there will be no visiting hours. Private burial services will be held at the Calvary Cemetery in South Portland. A Memorial Mass will be held at a date to be determined. Arrangements made by the Hobbs Funeral Home 230 Cottage Road South Portland, Maine. Memorial donations may be made in Shirley's memory to: The Gosnell Memorial Hospice 180 US Route One, #1 Scarborough, ME 04074

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Published by Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram on Jan. 1, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Shirley Colton

4 Entries

Jane Meehan (Ledoux)

January 18, 2010

Dear Family:

I did not know Shirley very well, having only met her once or twice because she was a friend of my mother, Marcelle Ledoux. We all went to St. Mary's School together and I remember the Mitchell kids very well. My mother is gone now, as well as Betty Reece, another good friend of Shirley's. I am sure they are catching up on all the news right about now and rejoicing at being together again!

stacey roller

January 3, 2010

Grammy Mitchell as we knew her always had a kind word for everyone.
The older I got the more I respected her.
A single mother in the 1950s was a tough job. She raised three children who all went on to become wonderful people, my father Mark, my uncle Jay and aunt Terri. She also lived with her bedridden mother and sister Elaine who needed assistance. Elaine was a great aunt who I also have fond memories of. She also worked full time as a nursing assistant. By most this would be a tough life but she never complained or had her hand out for charity. She was happy and had a wonderful life. My father and his siblings always speak well of their childhood and share memories.
When I was little I remember her bringing me to the nursing home she worked at and being scared by the sick old people. She loved these people and was the person that cared for them on a daily basis. She loved her job and treated the patients as friends and with dignity.
She was a very religious women within the Catholic Church. I often remember meeting other family members who were nuns. Grammy welcomed with open arms all kinds of people, gay straight, married, divorced or not.
Her illness of cancer came upon us all at the speed of light since she always seemed to be in good health. Thankfully she did not suffer too long and was able to meet her only great granddaughter Gretel Devendorf for a number of years and shared in the joy of the arrival of my sister twins a week before her death.
She'll always be s

January 1, 2010

Jay, Tonya and family,

Very sorry for your lost. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Love, Maria and Connie

Karen Anderson

January 1, 2010

Dear folks, I haven't seen most of you for years, but want you to know that I'm thinking of you with fond memories of your mother's quiet manner and the ease with which she raised you. She was truly a marvel. I'm sorry for your loss and will be thinking of you as you adjust to this void in your lives. Fondly, Karen Robinson Anderson

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