Shirley Brooks Howard

Holden/Brewer - Shirley M. Howard, 84, passed away peacefully on August 31, 2019 where she resided at Woodlands Senior Living due to a very aggressive and rare cancer. Shirley was born on September 11, 1934 in Mars Hill, ME. She was the daughter of the late Harold and Mildred (Petersen) Drake.
She was a stay at home mom for many years, then taught Head Start in Blaine, ME. She worked on her father’s farm with her family during potato harvest. In 1978, Shirley moved to Holden, ME. She worked at Gordon’s Jewelry (Bangor Mall). After her retirement as manager of Gordon’s Jewelry, she continued to work for several years at Quality Jewelers.
Shirley loved cooking and baking, especially for holidays and when her children were visiting. At Christmas, she would make care packages for her family with her homemade goodies. She was known for her famous dill pickles and her homemade apple pies. Her hobbies were gardening, knitting, making fleece blankets and painting bird houses built by her husband Phil. For many years, Shirley bowled in a league at Northern Lanes Bowling Alley winning many trophies.
She is survived by her children: Kristie (John) Charette of Gorham, ME, Tom (Missy) Brooks of New Bloomfield, PA, Tim (Maureen) Brooks of Higganum, CT, Julie Brooks Hersom, Bucksport, ME, and David Brooks, Brewer, ME. She had four grandchildren: Jeremy Brooks, Travis Charette, Jade Schueler, and Lance Brooks, and four great- grandchildren: Derek, Scarlet, Charlotte and Emily Jane, and a very special aunt, Eleanor Burtsell. She is also survived by four stepchildren and their spouses: Paul Howard, William Howard, Valerie Fitzpatrick and Robin Boutilier. She had seven step grandchildren and seven step great-grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, Shirley was predeceased by her husband of 41 years, Philip Howard; her son, Danny Brooks, and the father of her children, Cedric Brooks.
The family would like to thank the staff at Woodlands Senior Living and Beacon Hospice for the care and support provided to her.
A funeral service will be held 2 PM, Saturday, September 14, 2019 at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor, ME with Pastor Gerry Dill officiating. The family invites relatives and friends to share conversation and refreshments at the Family Reception Center of Brookings-Smith, 163 Center Street, Bangor immediately following the service Saturday. A private interment will be held the following day at Pierce Cemetery, Mars Hill, ME. Those wishing to remember Shirley in a special way may make gifts in her memory to the Lafayette Cancer Center, c/o Northern Lights Health Foundation, PO Box 931, Bangor, ME 04402-0931. Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com.