Lakeland, Fla. – Shirley J. Brackett, 80, of Lakeland, Fla., formerly of Norway and Lewiston, died Sunday, April 15, at Lakeland Regional Medical Center following surgery with her loving family by her side.

She was born in St. Stevens, New Brunswick, on March 1, 1927, and lived in Calais. A daughter to Clifford and Melva Johnson, she grew up and was educated in Belfast, where she met her husband George E. Brackett.

She married George on Sept. 21, 1949. She was a devoted wife and an incredible mom to her three children, Beth, Kathy and Jeff. She was a homemaker, wife and mother for many years before she began working at Lost Valley Ski Area. She was the driving force behind the start up of the successful Learn To Ski Program. She worked there from the late 1960s until she retired in early 1990. Summers were spent working at Camp Tapawingo in Sweden, as camp secretary. She was an avid bowler and golfer, running and organizing leagues at Auburn Lanes in Auburn, and later in Lakeland. She was involved in the Blue Devil Sports family in the late 1960s. Most of all, she spent her time taking her children from activity to activity.

She is survived by her sister, Barbara Waugh and husband, Dana, of Wilton; three children, Beth Sullivan and husband, Joseph, of Salem, Conn., Kathy Edwards and husband, William, of Brunswick, and Jeffrey Brackett and wife, Sue, of Poland; two nieces, Deborah Macomber and husband, David, of Wilton, and Patricia Crandall and husband, Michael, of Hermon; six grandchildren, Kristina Edwards of Hartford, Conn., Shawn Edwards of Windham, Jessica Brackett of Poland, William Edwards of Brunswick, Taja Slaughter of Valley, Ala., and Chris Brackett of Poland; three great-grandchildren, Hunter James Brackett of Poland, Shawna Edwards and Kylee Edwards, both of Windham; and her friend and companion, Arnold Clark of Lakeland, Fla.

She was predeceased by her husband, George, on March 20, 2005. Shirley will be deeply missed by her family and friends.