Shirley M. Morell Davis, 86, of Youngsville, passed away peacefully on Saturday May 14, 2022, in her home.
She was born in Portland, Maine on October 28, 1935, the daughter of the late William and Vivian (Bickford) Morrell. She graduated from Gorham High School in 1953 as valedictorian and then went to the Portland School of Fine and Applied Art, where her work showed much potential to be a talented artist. She met her first husband Jan Legere while both were students there. Eventually, her husband’s art career necessitated a move to Pennsylvania and Shirley put her career dreams aside to raise her children, which she determined to be a much higher calling in life. All seven children made their mother proud, as they made their various journeys through life.
She also was a loving aunt and grandmother who took an interest in the lives of her many nieces, nephews and grandchildren. Shirley was a great cook, interested in healthy eating and living and enjoyed running and walking, which gave her opportunity to enjoy her natural surroundings. She enjoyed gardening and kept various animals on her property over the years.
She was a talented musician who loved to sing and an avid reader, with a particular interest in health, nutrition and spiritual growth. In 1990 Shirley married Peter Davis and they enjoyed their retirement years living in a log home, which she had built in rural PA. Shirley made a positive impact on others by simply being her loving and kind self and is now experiencing joys of Heaven, beyond our comprehension. A life well lived a job well-done and an accomplishment like none other, summarizes Shirley’s journey through life.
She is survived by her seven children; Miranda MacHanick and husband Dave, Jan D. Legere, Mark D. Legere and wife Betsy, Heather Chaney, Sara Boren and husband Wayne, David Legere and wife Nicole, and Rachel Anderson; 30 grandchildren and many great grandchildren; siblings Sandra Grondin, Karen Morrell, Linda Verrier, and Kathy Greenlaw.
In addition to her parents, Shirley was preceded in death by her brother, William Morrell, son- in-law Lou Chaney, and her daughter-in-law Lauri Legere.
Friends may call the Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home Inc., 304 East St. Warren, PA on Friday May 20, 2022, from 5:00 to 6:00 pm. E-mail condolences may be sent by visiting www.lewisfuneralhomeinc.com
One personality trait, I as Shirley’s kid sister, remember about her is her adventurous spirit. Of the six of us, she was the fearless one, a quality which served her well throughout her life, as she set goals and most always attained them. I remember when I was a child, she would take me along on hikes behind the family’s farmhouse in Gorham, Maine, where we would cross the Stroudwater River on a fallen tree, in order to pick the sweetest blueberries located on the other side of the river. During summers I would tag along with her, as she climbed out on the farm’s high-peaked barn roof, to lay out and get a suntan. We also spent many evenings together as she painted or created drawings in her art studio, which she had converted from a milk-house, which was previously part of her grandfather’s dairy farm. Those times with her are now special memories. Shirley was the best big sister a young girl could ever have! What I respect most about Shirley as an adult, is how she put her own wants and dreams on hold, in order to give her all, during the years she raised her dear children.
My sincerest condolences to Shirley’s family! I had the privilege to work with Shirley for many years! She was the hardest worker I have ever known! I appreciated her smile and friendly hugs.
Our sympathy and prayers for your loss. I will remember Shirley’s smile and how she always spoke with me at church. She is singing with the Lord now.
Shirley was the best grandparent a kid could ask for. We went on endless walks, exploring the woods and dirt roads together. She always shared her Walkman with me and we always came home with a big noquet of wild flowers and a new rock collection. We traveled across many states states together; Grandma lived to travel and we always traveled to visit distant family. But some of my favorite memories are of the many late saturday nights talking about The Lord and life in general, and many rushed Sunday mornings together running late to church! Grandma was always leading me into an adventure and every weekend spent with her was packed full of memories I will always treasure. Not everyone is blessed with a grandmother they could also call a friend. She was a loving grandmother and I will miss her dearly.