1928 – 2017

FREEPORT — Shirley Belmont Gousse, 88, died Thursday, Jan. 12, with her daughters by her side.

She was born March 18, 1928, in Haverhill, Mass., to Olive Worthen. She graduated from Edward Little High School in 1945. In June 1948, she married Leo “Bunny” Gousse of Danville, where they raised their three daughters.

Shirley enjoyed music and dancing. She was an avid seamstress including making each of her daughters’ wedding gowns.

In her retirement years, she found her love of art and painting with oils.

After retiring from Liberty Mutual Group in Lewiston, Shirley and Bunny wintered in Zephyrhills, Fla., eventually moving and making their home in Freeport.

She was a lifetime member of the Freeport Lioness Club and a member of the Danville Junction Grange.

Shirley is survived by her daughters, Patricia Sloat and husband, Bryan, Michelle Manter and husband, Kevin, and Cynthia LaHaye and partner, Mike Yates, all of Freeport. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Corey Sloat and wife, Kelly, Jody Sloat Bennett, Joshua Manter and wife, Heather, and Allison LaHaye; great-grandchildren, Kelsey, Reid, Jaelen and Jackson; her sister, Ruth Lane and husband, Ted, of Sarasota, Fla.; as well as several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband, Bunny, in 2015.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of the Cumberland Wing at Hawthorne House, the staff at the ALZ Care Center in Gardiner and to Beacon Hospice for always taking such loving care of our mom.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.FuneralAlternatives.net.