WINDHAM – Shirley Taber Crosby lived a long and adventurous life. She was an entrepreneur before her time. She died April 14, in Windham.

Borrowing $500 she started a roadside hamburger stand in 1947 in Canton. Working 10 to 12 hours a day for six months of the year, she created a booming business. People came from miles around to buy her hamburgers and home-made ice cream. She employed about 20 local people at the time she sold the business in 1958 to “retire” in North Windham.

Quickly bored, she and her husband, George Taber got backing from IGA (Independent Grocer’s Alliance) to open a small grocery store in North Windham. That little store was so successful the corporation backed them again and built the first large supermarket in North Windham. Again, a great success.

In addition to her intuitive business sense, she was also a talented craft person, mastering tole painting and quilting, among other crafts. She was never without her dreams of what to do next.

She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Jerry and Marti Taber; her daughter and son-in-law, June and Dan Gifford; her grandchildren, Kelly Whitney and Jann Taber; and her great-grandchildren, Jake, Joshua and Sammy. Private family services were held.