Obituary of Shirley Hodgson Fletcher

Brownville Junction and Bangor – Shirley Hodgson Fletcher, 93, died July 15, 2019, at Westgate Center for Health and Rehabilitation in Bangor, surrounded by her loving family. She was born December 19, 1925, in Brownville Junction, the daughter of Chester L. and Gertrude K. (Crandall) Hodgson.  Shirley was a graduate of Brownville Junction High School, Class of 1943. In 1944, she went to attend the Eastern Academy of Beauty Culture in Bangor, and after completion, for a short time operated “The Beauty Nook” out of her parents’ home. 

On August 16, 1946, she married her high school sweetheart, “Jim” Fletcher, and with him raised their two daughters, Diane and Nancy, in Brownville Junction. She and Jim enjoyed their camp on Schoodic Lake in their younger years, and after retirement enjoyed taking bus tours around the country. They especially loved spending their winters in Myrtle Beach, S.C. with their friends. They made homes in Brownville Junction, Milo, and Bangor, before returning back to the Milo area to establish their roots once again.

Shirley worked for 14 years as a nurse’s aide at the Milo Community Hospital and was an active member of the Brownville Methodist Church, where she taught Sunday School for many years. She belonged to various women’s clubs and she loved hosting at her house serving her favorite lunch choice… “sandwiches.” At the time of her husband’s passing in 2010, they had been married for 64 years.

In her recent years, it was important to Shirley to convert to Catholicism, as this was the faith that held many special memories for her as a child, attending masses with her dear grandmother.

Shirley was predeceased by her parents; husband; infant sister, Faye; infant brother, Leslie; and her special sister-in-law, Helen Fletcher Cobb.  She is survived by her two daughters,  Diane Abrams and husband, Bob, and Nancy Russell and husband, Wally; 9 grandchildren, Rebecca Grant Widen and husband, Kurt, Matthew Grant and wife, Tara, Adam Grant, Molly Abrams and fiancé, Jason, Jill Morey and husband, Ben, Kerri Wiles and husband, Brian, Megan Dean and husband, Justin, Nick Abrams and wife, Jessie, and Rob Abrams and wife, Caitlin; 16 great-grandchildren, Noah, Justin and Isaiah Widen, Jude and Gabriel Grant, Carly and Nealie Morey, Lucy, Eve, and Elliot Wiles, Russell, William, and Harrison Dean, Emily Abrams, and Amelia and William Abrams; and a special niece, Donna Morrill.

The family wishes to thank special care givers, Sue Coburn, Glenda Heal, Betty Perry, and Barbara Gray, who not only did so much for their Mom, but also the family. They also wish to thank the staff at Westgate Center for Health and Rehabilitation for their compassionate and loving care for Shirley.

A memorial Mass will be held 10AM Saturday, July 27, 2019, at Sts. Francis Xavier and Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, Milo, with Father Robert Lupo, celebrant. Burial will be in the family lot in the Pine Tree Cemetery, Brownville Junction. Following the burial, a reception will be held back at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Arrangements are in the care of the Lary Funeral Home. Messages of condolences and memories may be expressed at www.laryfuneralhome.com.