SCARBOROUGH — Irene L. Shevenell, 102, of Pine Point, Scarborough, passed away suddenly in her home with one of her daughters, Elise, by her side on May 18, 2016.

She was born in Dover, New Hampshire, on Sept. 12, 1913, a daughter of Albert and Rosa (Allard) Pomerleau.

Irene received her elementary and secondary education in Dover and Montreal, Canada, and later graduated from McIntosh College in Dover as a business major. Following college, Irene was employed by Sears Roebuck as a general manager for the New England area in the order/ catalog department.

On June 18, 1934, Irene married Leo B. Shevenell, initially settling in Biddeford and then moving to Saco with a young family of two daughters.

In 1954, she established The Children’s Shop in Biddeford, a retail clothing business for 44 years, a considerable accomplishment for a woman of those decades. She had an exceptional and true flair for fashion and design, and offered her forward-thinking vision to the business communities of her local surroundings. Irene was a vital addition to the Biddeford Chamber of Commerce.

For a number of years, Irene expanded her business and included a second summer location in Kennebunkport for specialty children’s clothing and Christmas items. As part of her many talents, she produced numerous fashion shows held in Biddeford City Theatre, The Black Point Inn in Scarborough, and The Colony Hotel in Kennebunkport. Many local children and mothers were part of these entertaining events. By the time she reluctantly closed The Children’s Shop, she was 85 and on a third generation of devoted customers. To her final day, Irene truly wished she was still running her beloved “The Children’s Shop.”

In addition to her business interests, Irene was a longtime member of the Southern Maine Medical Center Auxiliary and a devoted corporator of Sweetser.

Eventually, Irene moved to her home in Pine Point, where she resided for 46 years. She was well-known and very active in the Pine Point community.

Irene had a lifelong interest in the arts, and studied at The Portland School of Art with Prof. Kahill. She enjoyed creating art in a variety of media.

Among her other numerous interests were music, needlework and rug hooking. Irene had pursued learning to play the piano during her studies in Montreal, and became an accomplished classical pianist. The many beautiful rugs and pillows she created from her rug hooking skills are a true legacy of her artistic talents, and will be cherished forever by her family. Even at 102 years of age, Irene was still producing these works of art.

Irene was preceded in death by: her three brothers, Edward, Ena and Armand (Skip) Pomerleau; one niece, Diane Hardy; and one nephew, Glen Pomerleau, as well as his wife, Phyllis.

She is survived by: her two daughters, Elise Shevenell of Pine Point and Fredrica Montgomery and her husband David of St. Paul, Minnesota; her two grandsons, Morgan Montgomery and his wife Megan, and Tyler Montgomery and his wife Meghan; and two greatgrandchildren, Isabel and Adalene.

She is also survived by: her three nephews, Ronald Pomerleau and his wife Nancy, David Pomerleau and his wife Gail, and Bruce Pomerleau and his wife Viki; one niece, Debra Thompson; sister-in-law Margaret Jean Pomerleau; Lou Hardy, husband of her deceased niece Diane; special friend Rusty A. Anderson and daughter Leslie; and many family members, friends and family of her former husband, Leo B. Shevenell, who passed in 1992.

The family would like to thank Dr. James Zeitlin, who provided loving care and medical guidance over many years.

You departed from us all so suddenly, but with an ever-growing legacy. You graced us with your being, your sense of self, and your determination to live the dream you had envisioned. You enveloped your immediate and extended families and friends within your ever-loving heart – strong –willed and enduring in quest, but forever embracing and taking us all with you now, along your way.

Services will be private. Arrangements are by Cote Funeral Home, Saco. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider memorial donations in Irene’s name to: Sweetser, 50 Moody St., Saco, ME 04072.

To view Irene’s memorial page or leave an online condolence, please visit cotefuneralhome.com.