YORK — Shirley Lothrop, 81, died peacefully at York Hospital on June 17, surrounded by her family. She was a longtime resident of South Berwick and most recently Kittery Estates in Kittery. She was the widow of Robert Lothrop, who died on June 28, 1999.

She was born Nov. 21, 1930, the daughter of William and Ilene Smith of Wilton. She attended schools in Wilton, graduating from Wilton Academy in 1949, and later earned her library certificate from the University of Rhode Island.

Mrs. Lothrop was an avid reader, enjoying books in her work as well. She worked in libraries in Ashaway , Rhode Island, Thomas College and Marshwood Junior High School. She also worked in Winebaum’s Bookstores in Portsmouth, Newington and Dover, N.H.

She was a craftswoman with many interests, but was best known for her beautiful hooked rugs. She was a member of the Tin Peddlers and Seacoast Ruggers, holding several offices in those groups. Her work earned many ribbons at Rochester Fair, where she demonstrated her craft during the fair.

She will be missed by her children; a son , David Lothrop and wife, Jeanne, of Newton Center, Mass.; daughters, Diane Poulin and husband, Ronald, of Waterville and Donna Mackenzie and husband, William, of South Berwick; her seven grandchildren were very special to her, Maj. Aaron Poulin and wife, Maj. Justine Krumm, Shawn Lothrop and wife, Dr. Heather Mazzaccaro, Michelle Poulin and fiance, Ryan Nast, Rebecca Lothrop Hollaway and husband, Craig, Elizabeth MacKenzie and fiance, Wesley Sanborn, Ryan MacKenzie and fiancee, Aleta Avanzato and Michael MacKenzie; as well as three great-granddaughters, Eliana and Sarissa Lothrop and Samantha Krumm-Poulin; her sisters, Beverly Franchetti of Farmington and June Strigle of Lady Lake, Fla.; brothers-in-law, Douglas Lothrop of Dixfield and Wayne Lothrop of Pensacola, Fla.; sister-in-law, Bette Anterra of Colorado Springs, Colo.; and 14 nieces and nephews.

Condolences and tributes may be shared on her memorial wall at www.wilesrc.com.