Shirley T. Brocato

Shirley (Pelletier) Brocato died due to complications from dementia on May 25, 2016, at the Gorham House. She was born in Springvale to Charles Jean Pelletier and Helen (Stebbins) Pelletier on July 18, 1932. She graduated from Sanford High School, where she was a student scholar, active in many academic and sports programs.Married to Robert Joseph Brocato on July 12, 1951, they loved, and devoted themselves to their marriage and seven children for sixty-one years. Robert lost his life to lung cancer on December 2, 2012. With his death Shirley lost part of her heart. Daughter, sister, wife, mother, gardener, quilter, cat-lover - she was all of these, her greatest passion being Bob's wife. Bob and Shirley, Shirley and Bob. Shirley lived most recently at Gorham House in Gorham, Maine where she spread love and laughter. Known there as "Sweet Shirley," her many favorite sayings and funny quirks will long be remembered and cherished. She is pre-deceased by her three brothers Leo, Paul and Rudolph, she is survived by her sister Anita Pelletier of Sanford. Her seven surviving children mourn her passing, but take joy in knowing she is in the arms of "her Bob:" Joe Brocato, Waterboro; Robert (deceased); Julie Crandall and husband Andrew Crandall, Windham; Anthony Brocato and partner Tracy Andrews, Naples; Kathie LeBel and husband Chris LeBel, Westbrook; Maria Picher and husband William Picher, Windermere, FL; Lisa Latno, Westbrook and James Brocato, Somerville, MA. Her grandchildren: Scott (Tami) Leavitt , Naples; Nick (Sue) LeBel, Bridgton; Sam Brocato (Ashley Libby), Yarmouth; Peter Brocato, Naples; Michael and Stephen Picher, Windermere, FL and Benjamin and Roman Latno, Gray. She was pre-deceased by granddaughter, Aimee Brocato. Also survived by many loving nieces, nephews and great grand children that filled her life. Visiting hours will be on Tuesday, June 7th from 4 to 7PM at the Lafrance-Lambert & Black Funeral Home, 29 Winter Street. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday June 8th at 10AM at St. Therese of Lisieux Parish, Holy Family Church. Burial will follow at St. Ignatius Cemetery.Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider donations in her memory to the Gorham House Scholarship, 50 New Portland Road, Gorham, ME 04038.Condolences may be expressed at www.blackfuneralhomes.com