Obituary of Shirley H. Armstrong

Shirley H. (Emery) Armstrong, 60 of Knox, passed away unexpectedly Monday November 30, 2009. She was born on July 2,1949 in Dexter the daughter of Ernest and Ruth (Tardy) Emery. In her early years she worked at Maplewood poultry where she met her husband Leon. Shirley also worked for many years at Creative Apparel as a seamstress. Her present job, which she loved very much, was for MSAD 3 as an ed tech in the life skills classroom. She will be remembered at school for her positive and helpful attitude. With Shirley it was all about her family, and she was always putting their needs above her own. She was a crafty and creative person who enjoyed every holiday. She decorated her home for each one going all out for the grandchildren. She loved shopping with her sisters and cooking. She made sure at Thanksgiving everyone had their favorite pie. In the summertime she spent a lot of time in the swimming pool, four-wheeling and at her camp in Guilford. She enjoyed going to Hollywood Slots to gamble. Shirley was always furthering her education and had just finished a course in American sign language. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her husband even if that meant hunting. Shirley also looked forward to the two family reunions they had every year, one in the summer and one at Christmas. She is predeceased by her parents and mother-in-law Erma Armstrong. Shirley is survived by her husband of 29 years, Leon Armstrong of Knox; her children, Sharon Clark and husband Andrew of Montville, Angela Shortall and husband James of Pelham, NH, Andria Amador and husband Elvis of Walpole, MA, Dallas Armstrong and significant other Eric McCue of Brewer; her siblings, Sandra Gurney and husband William of Searsmont, Daniel Emery and wife Diane of Burnham, Darlene Starrett and husband Rick of Appleton; eight grandchildren, Stephany, Hannah, Lindsay, Shawn, David, Jacob, Sophia, Isabella and many others who called her Grammie; several nieces, nephews and a special student, Mario, as well as a long list of friends. Visiting hours will be held Thursday, December 3rd from 5-7 p.m. at Crabiel-Riposta Funeral Home, 182 Waldo Avenue, Belfast where funeral service will be held 1 p.m. Friday. Those who wish may make donations in Shirley's memory to American Diabetes Association, 80 Elm Street, Portland, ME 04101. On-line condolences may be placed at www.crabielripostafuneralhome.com.