Ann Shirley Sullivan

SOUTH FREEPORT – Shirley Sullivan went out of this world on July 6, 2024, the way she lived: on her own terms, with a sense of humor, and surrounded by people who loved and adored her. Sharp as a tack until the very end, she made her own end-of-life decisions. She was 86.

Born in 1937 in her grandmother’s house on Cutts Street in Biddeford, she was the oldest child of Jeanette Gagnon and Thomas Barker.

Growing up on Jefferson Street, she enjoyed a fun-filled childhood surrounded by her French-Canadian relatives. She loved to sing and dance and make people happy. Those who came into her orbit unsmiling left with a grin. She began and ended her acting career in her senior year (1956) at Biddeford High School performing as Beth in “Little Women”. She was proud of her four years cheerleading at BHS.

Shirley worked as a switchboard operator at New England Telephone for 10 years, before marrying John L. Sullivan in May of 1964. They settled in Freeport and eventually moved to Cheehawk Farm in South Freeport which together they spent years renovating.

She cherished her two children, JB and Lynn, and devoted much of her life to raising, nurturing, and guiding them. Shirley exuded warmth and empathy toward young people leading many to consider her a second mom. In later years, she was the doting grandmother to her four grandchildren and rarely missed an opportunity to support their passions. They were the great joy of her life.

A tireless volunteer with the Freeport schools, Shirley helped in the classroom of her neighbor and friend, Nora Cooper, at the Grove Street School. She loved playing golf and tennis and did so until her body protested. She was a fierce cribbage player, keeping a book with a running tally of her win/loss record against her husband (she won a lot!) with one entry reading, “A royal skunk at that!”

There weren’t many days when her home wasn’t filled with music, especially from the ’50s. She was a voracious reader and fan of old movies, passions which she shared with her children and grandchildren.

Shirley is survived by a host of people who loved her including her husband of 60 years, Jack; her son, JB (Wendy) of Yarmouth and daughter, Lynn of South Freeport. She also leaves behind her brother, Ron Barker (JoAnne) of Yarmouth and sister, Priscilla Anastasoff of Saco; as well as four nieces and a nephew. She will be dearly missed by her three grandsons, Aidan, Thomas and Gibby and her granddaughter, Lydia. She loved her grand dogs Poppy and Roxanne who spent many days by her side providing companionship.

The family would like to thank the staff at Mid Coast Hospital for their compassion and kindness. They made her final days peaceful and painless and were invaluable to all of us.

A private celebration of life will be held in August.

Arrangements in the care of Lindquist Funeral Home, Portland.

Please visit www.lindquistfuneralhome.com to leave condolences for the Sullivan family and sign Shirley’s online guest book.

In lieu of flowers, please be kind to someone and fill their bucket with love, as she did until the very end.