AUBURN – Shirley Lee Small, 84, of Lewiston passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Friday, May 15, 2009, after a 2-month battle with complications from open heart surgery.

She grew up in Ridgeway, Pa., the daughter of Ralph and Mamie (Mathes) Kirk. She graduated from high school and graduated with a degree in nursing from Case Western Reserve University in Ohio in 1947.

She married Robert L. Small in June of 1947. They were married for 47 years before he passed away in 1994. She worked at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston for 26 years as an RN and then, in later years, as the assistant director of nursing before retiring in 1988.

She enjoyed watching the Patriots, playing bridge, going to the movies, attending various programs at the Sawyer Memorial in Greene and traveling with her friends.

She was an active member of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Auburn. She ran the Nuggets group, belonged to the Vestry, taught Sunday school, took part on the Search Committee and volunteered for the High Street Food Bank.

She was a past volunteer and president of the local chapter of the AARP, was a member of the Women’s Literacy Union, the Art and Literature Club of Auburn and the Stanton Bird Club.

Shirley will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

She is survived by daughters, Sharon Roberts and her husband, John, of Cape Elizabeth, Pamela Keddy and her husband, Michael, of Augusta, Dawna Hopkins and husband, George, of Lewiston, and Marsha Engelhardt and her husband, Robert, of Pittsfield; her sister, Betty Barnett of Missouri; sister-in-law Sally Hartnett of Friendship; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; nine nieces and nephews; and many close friends who were dear to her heart.

The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at the Hospice House and the wonderful care that they gave our mother in her final days. We would also like to thank all of her friends who sent their well wishes and kept Mom in their prayers.