Obituary of Shirley Louise Scully

Shirley L. Scully “Precious in His sight is the death of His godly ones” Psalm 116:15 Shirley Louise (Barone) Scully, took the Lord’s hand and followed Him to her eternal home on April 28, 2015. Heaven has gained a most beautiful soul . Shirley was born on October 23, 1928 in Niagara Falls, New York, the daughter of Ida (Jones) Barone Kay and Vincent Barone. She spent her young years with her mother in St. Catharines, Ontario, taking flying lessons and becoming an accomplished thoroughbred rider. She attended school there and met her soon- to- be husband. When he first saw her, he told a friend, “That’s the girl I’m going to marry.” He was truly blessed as she was amazingly beautiful inside and out. That began an adventure that Mom faced with courage, patience, determination, joy, and fortitude. Eight children were welcomed into their family and homes were established from Toronto, Ontario, to Youngstown, New York; New Glasgow, Nova Scotia; North Augusta, South Carolina; Long Island, New York; Fort Kent, Maine; New Hartford, New York; Williston, Vermont; Oakland, Maine and many other places with Dad after the family had left the nest. With each move, she would check out the best schools, dentists, doctors and, of course, find the Catholic parish home for her family, all the while cleaning the new-found home before we moved in, refereeing children trying to stake claims in the available bedrooms, and unpacking loads and loads of boxes. Everything she did was done with love and care for each of her children and for her husband; they were always first. Her family meant the world to her and she worked hard to keep them safe, happy, well-educated, and faithful. She was a beautifully artistic woman who enjoyed handiwork of all kinds: knitting, crocheting, quilting, painting, and she had a green thumb which was evident in the beautiful house plants she loved, especially her African Violets. She loved to cook and bake and was so gifted in that department; she also enjoyed vegetable and flower gardening. Her artwork was especially appreciated by the ladies she worked with for St. Teresa’s Christmas Fair; she even helped to design an incredible altar cloth and a beautiful chalice and paten for the church. Everyone who knew her loved her, and treasured being with her. She made them feel cared for and they still say that she was one of the sweetest women they’d ever known. She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Michael J. Scully; by her daughters, Shannon Phair and husband Stephen, Michelle Johnson and husband Robert, Erin Joseph and daughter Mariclaire; and by her sons, Michael and wife Debra, Patrick and wife Victoria, Sean and wife Melissa, Kevin, Brendan and wife Angela. She was predeceased by her parents, stepfather Reginald Kay, and two brothers, Charles and James. Her joy grew as their children married and blessed them with seventeen grandchildren and twenty-one great-grandchildren. They all loved being with their Nanny and from her learned much about what it means to be a gentle, loving, faith-filled example of the way Christ wants us all to love. There is no better or lasting legacy . The Family would like to share their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Mount St. Joseph for the kindness, dedication, and love shown to our Mom. Mass cards are available at Corpus Christi Parish office. In lieu of flowers, donations, in her name, may be made to St John’s Regional Catholic School, Alzheimer's Association, or Mount St. Joseph. Condolences may be shared and her obituary viewed at: directcremationofmaine@gmail.com Her funeral will be held at Notre Dame Church on Silver Street in Waterville at 4p.m. on May 21st.