LEWISTON —  Shirley Ann Ellingwood Barnes, 78, of Otisfield, Maine, passed away on March 13, at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston after a long, courageous battle with cancer.

Born January 18, 1938, in West Paris, Maine, the only child to Rupert and Gladys (Salls) Ellingwood. She graduated from West Paris High School in 1956, received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from the University of Maine at Orono in 1960, and a Master’s degree in Education from State University of New York College at Cortland in 1985. She taught second and third grade at Bowne School in East Brunswick, New Jersey, and worked as a tutor for several years in the Chittenango Central School, New York. She also served on the Chittenango School District Guidance Advisory and Gifted/Talented Committees.

She married John R. Barnes of Hamden, Connecticut, on March 25, 1961, in West Paris, Maine. They have two children.

Shirley was active in music, singing in church choirs and community choruses for much of her life. She was also a handbell ringer. In her younger days Shirley played the piano, clarinet, and guitar. She was a Sunday School Superintendent and participated in many church committees including Christian Ed, Music, Nominating, Library, Evangelism and Stewardship. She was a church deacon, and active participant of Bible study groups.

Shirley was a member of the Red Hat Society, Chickadee Quilters Guild, and a machine knitting group. She enjoyed her cats, kayaking, golfing leagues, downhill and cross-country skiing, walking through the woods, riding through the mountains, looking for moose, and visiting the rugged coast of her beloved home state of Maine. She had a camp on Keewaydin Lake, and enjoyed being there with her family in the summer.

Shirley lived in Maine, Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York. She visited Italy, England, Scotland, Canada, and had had been to (including Hawaii) 41 of 50 states

Shirley loved to spend time with family and friends, and is survived by her husband John Barnes of Otisfield, ME; daughter Lori Grippo and her husband Carmine of Burnt Hills, N.Y.; her son Steven Barnes and his wife Diane (White) of Boylston, MA; her granddaughters Courtney and Brittany Grippo; a brother-in-law George Clark; a nephew Kevin Clark, and many cousins.

A memorial service will be held at Shirley’s church, the First Congregational Church, 33 South High Street, Bridgton, Maine, on Saturday, March 19 at 3 p.m. with Pastor Raymond Clothier presiding. A reception will follow immediately after, refreshments included.

In lieu of flowers, consider making a memorial donation in Shirley’s name to First Congregational Church of Bridgton (www.bridgtonucc.org), Responsible Pet Care of Oxford Hills (members.petfinder.com), and Score International (www.scoreintl.org) Child Sponsorship.

Arrangements are in the care of Chandler Funeral Homes and Cremation Service 8 Elm Street, Bridgton. The family would like to thank everyone for all of their support, well-wishes, and prayers.

Condolences can be expressed at www.chandlerfunerals.com.

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