PERU – Shirley C. Cormier, 68, died at her home on Auburn Road, Peru, on Monday, Oct. 3, with her loving family and friends around her, after a long courageous battle with ovarian cancer.

She was born Aug. 16, 1937, in Rumford, a daughter of George W. and Annie L. (Pressey) Glazier. She was raised in Roxbury and graduated from Stephens High School in Rumford Class of 1955.

She married Norman H. Cormier on Sept. 3, 1955, at St. Theresa Church, Mexico. They lived their entire life in Peru. They bought a dairy farm where she ran a small business of making cheese, butter, sour milk and whipped cream to sell. With the help of her family, they also sold eggs and produce from their large vegetable garden.

She had been employed at the Dixfield Nursing Home for a short time, then started a dog and cat grooming business that grew to more than 135 customers over the course of 45 years. People came from as far away as Florida, and Nashua and Berlin, N.H., to have their pets groomed.

She enjoyed decorating the outside of her home for every holiday and won prizes for their Christmas displays. She also enjoyed collecting fine crystal and figurines, and loved to go to car shows in her 69 Buick Electra Convertible with a close family friend, Roger Knox. She loved her two Persian cats, “Coffee Brandy” and “Whiskers.”

Survivors include her husband of 50 years, Norman Cormier, of Peru; her son, Richard A. Cormier and his fiancee, Cynthia A. Whitmore, of Peru; three granddaughters, Cassie A. Cormier, Angela M. Cormier and Shawna L. Cormier, all of Rumford; and a grandson, Dylan Stefani of Jay.

She was predeceased by her parents; a sister, Madaline White; a brother, Carl Glazier; and an hour-old newborn daughter, Corrina Cormier.

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