Shirley A. Stilphen

Scarborough- Shirley A. Stilphen, 82, passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 31, 2017 at the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House with her loving family by her side. Shirley was born in Braintree, MA to the late Walter W. Osborne, Sr. and Annie Naugle Osborne. She attended schools in Portland and graduated from Portland High School in the class of 1953. Shirley married Walter J. Stilphen in 1953 and together they shared 62 happy years together. She was a longtime member of the State Street Church, where she was very active in church functions of all kinds, and where she served for several years as a Deacon to the church. Shirley worked outside the home at UNUM where she maintained documents, microfilm, and did record keeping. She retired from there in the mid-eighties. She enjoyed monthly luncheons with her PHS classmates. Shirley's entire life centered on and revolved around her family. She was an avid crafter doing everything from making quilts for all of the children and grandchildren to knitting sweaters, making baskets for family and friends, and sewing. She was constantly donating her handy work for church fairs or school fundraisers for her grandchildren. Sunday dinners and family celebrations were a standard for Shirley. Her large family would gather around the table at Walter and Shirley's home where there was always plenty of food, fun and laughter for everyone. Her son commented "Big family, Big Kitchen, Big Heart" - this will long be Shirley's legacy. Shirley's greatest loves in her life were her grandchildren. She could always be counted on to babysit her grandchildren, spend time with them, take them on outings and she was known to always pack the best lunch when spending a day at the beach! She welcomed her daughter-in-laws into her family with an open heart and maintained a very strong and loving relationship with all of them. She cherished their friendship. Shirley was predeceased by her husband Walter J. Stilphen Sr. in 2015, 8 sisters; Grace, Dorothy, Geraldine, Pauline, Virginia, Margerete, Joan, and Charlotte and 2 brothers Walter Jr. and Bernard. She is survived by a daughter, Lisa Ellington of South Portland; five sons, Walter Jr. and his wife Carolynne Stilphen of CA, Greg and his wife Carrie Stilphen of South Portland, Steve and his wife Faith Stilphen of Cape Elizabeth, Kevin and his wife Beth Stilphen of Cape Elizabeth, Dean Stilphen and his companion Jackie McAuliffe of Saco; eight grandchildren, Erin, Carly, Christy, Alexander, and Lydia Stilphen, Theresa Rock, and Nathaniel and Maya Ellington; two great grandchildren, Spencer and Harper Rock and many nieces and nephews. Visiting hours and a celebration of Shirley's life will be held on Tuesday, September 5, 2017 from 4:00 to 7:00pm at the Conroy-Tully Walker South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, September 6, 2017 at 11am at the State Street Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, State Street, Portland. Burial will follow in Brooklawn Cemetery, Congress Street, Portland. To view Shirley's memorial page, or to share an online condolences, please visit www.ConroyTullyWalker.com Those who wish may make contributions in Shirley's memory are encouraged to consider: Gosnell Memorial Hospice House/ Southern Maine Hospice, 180 US Route One, Scarborough, ME 04074