YARMOUTH — Shirley Smith Haapanen, age 92, died peacefully on Aug. 15, 2014, at Brentwood Nursing Home. Beloved mother, grandmother, sister and friend, she will be remembered by many as a woman whose Christian faith guided her life. She leaves a legacy of loving kindness and humility.
Daughter of Ruby McIntyre Smith and Max Lee Smith, Shirley was born in Stillwater, Maine, in 1922 and graduated from Newport High School. She married Weikko W. Haapanen, her high school sweetheart and love of her life, on Oct. 28, 1945. Shirley and Weikko shared 59 years of marriage together before his passing. She was a full-time homemaker and mother to Laurel, Liisa and Jon.
Shirley was very active in her community and church. She served on the PTA and was a member of the American Field Service parents group in Quincy, MA. She was host mother to many exchange students.
Shirley is survived by her daughters: Laurel Haapanen of Norwood, MA, and Liisa Haapanen-Janelle of Chelmsford, MA; her sisters: Edith Ruta of Weymouth, MA, and Mary Darville of LaGrange, GA; her sons-inlaw: Rene Lopez and James Janelle; her grandsons: David Janelle, Andre Lopez, Adrian Lopez; her granddaughter Katja Janelle, and many nieces and nephews. Her son, Jon Haapanen, predeceased her on July 2, 1982.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, Aug. 22, from 1 to 3 p.m., at Lindquist Funeral Home, 1 Mayberry Lane, Yarmouth, ME 04096. Burial will be in Newport, Maine, at a later date. Please visit www.lindquistfuneralhome.c om to view a video collage of Shirley’s life and to share condolences, memories and tributes with her family.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to World Vision International, P.O. Box 9716, Federal Way, WA 98063 or the Good Shepherd Food Bank, 3121 Hotel Road, Auburn, ME 04210.
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