Shirley Ginn

BANGOR - Shirley Elaine Ginn, 92, died peacefully at home September 20, 2022, with family at her side. Shirley was born March 6, 1930 in Bangor, ME, daughter of the late Gertrude (Twitchell) Ginn and Mark W. Ginn.

Shirley graduated from Bangor High School in 1948, where she was active in the Drama, Chemistry, Latin, and Public Affairs Clubs. Following high school, Shirley attended the University of Maine. In the 3-plus decades following college, Shirley was the first face any visitor would see at Fox & Ginn, Inc. in Bangor, where she was the office manager. An early champion of the Take Your Pet to Work movement, one of Shirley’s beloved dogs would often be found curled-up napping in the corner of her office. Shirley was involved in numerous area organizations and activities, including Quipus, Junior League, and the United Cerebral Palsy pledge drive. For many years she and her sister, Mary Ella hosted their famous wine and cheese party, an annual gathering of the many women with whom they worked, volunteered, and shared true friendship. An avid lover of travel, Shirley was particularly fond of her journeys to Jamaica, Singapore, and the American southwest. Her favorite place in the world, however, was Second Wind—the family camp on Green Lake, where she resided each summer. She treasured family gatherings at the lake, a spot enjoyed by five generations of family. Not only did Shirley’s ten nieces and nephews and their families refer to her as “Aunti”, but indeed the friends of her nieces and nephews and everyone she came to know that was younger than her generation called her Aunti or Aunt Shirl. In fact, on occasion when a new acquaintance was introduced to her, they would invariably ask “Who’s actual aunt are you?” She relished being known as Aunti to all, as evidenced by her personalized “Aunti” license plate on whichever model Volvo she was currently driving.

Shirley is survived by her brother, Robert E. Ginn and his wife, Beverley of Wellington, FL; and sister-in-law, Adah P. Ginn of Scarborough. Her brother, Herbert E. Ginn of Scarborough; and sister, Mary Ella (Ginn) Averill and her husband, Glenn Averill of Bangor predeceased her. Aunt Shirl will be especially missed by her nieces and nephews and their families: Kimberly Dickson and husband, James Dickson of Bangor; Stephen Averill and his wife, Jodi-ann Johnson of Scarborough; Jean Ginn Marvin and her husband, Bob Marvin of Scarborough; Tracey Ginn Guidi of Satellite Beach, Florida; Rob Ginn of Manchester, MA; Lisa Ginn of Manchester, MA; David Ginn of Wellington, FL; and numerous grand- and great-grand nieces and nephews. Aunt Shirl was predeceased by her nieces, Shirley Averill MacDonald of Bangor; Karen L. Averill of Waltham, MA; and nephew, Mark Ginn of Portland.

A celebration of Shirley’s life will be held 1-3pm, Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022 at the Family Reception Center of Brookings-Smith, 163 Center St., Bangor. Private interment will occur at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Bangor. Those who wish to remember Shirley (Aunti) in a special way may consider a contribution to The Bangor Humane Society, 693 Mount Hope Ave., Bangor, ME 04401. www.bangorhumane.org. Condolences to family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com.