Shirley M. Blake

Shirley M. Blake, of Wells, a longtime resident of Sanford, died on Monday, December 6 at the H. D. Goodall Hospital in Sanford surrounded by her family, following a brief illness.She was born in Sanford on June 6, 1926, the daughter of Francis L. and Phyllis (Shackleton) Travis. She graduated from Sanford High School as the valedictorian of the class of 1944. She graduated from Bates College in 1948 with a degree in political science.Shirley was a classroom teacher in the Sanford school system for more than 30 years, having taught at Hawthorne, Longfellow, Emerson and Willard schools, retiring in 1994.She was a past member of Beta Sigma Phi and was a recipient of the Order of the Rose. She was a former member of the Order of Eastern Star and a member of the Sanford Springvale College Club.Her husband, Robert Winston Blake, passed away in 1992.Survivors include a daughter, Frances A. Thibaudeau and her husband Maurice of Wells, daughter, Sarah B. Shelley of Wells, son, Steven T. Blake and his wife Rachel of Sanford, eight grandchildren and one great grandchild.An hour of visitation will be held on Saturday from 9 to 10 AM at the Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, 580 Main Street, Springvale where a memorial service will be conducted at 10:00 AM with the Rev. Virginia Gass officiating. Burial will be in Oakdale Cemetery in Sanford.Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the Alzheimer's Association, 179 US Rte. One Suite 250, Falmouth, ME 04105.Arrangements are under the direction of the Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, 580 Main Street, Springvale. Condolences may be expressed at the Condolences tab at left.