Shirley Elizabeth Verrill

Shirley Elizabeth Verrill—beloved wife, mother, grandmother, friend, and devoted servant of the
Lord—peacefully passed away on December 16, 2025, at the Gosnell House in Scarborough, Maine, at the age
of 98.
She was born on January 25, 1927, in South Portland, Maine, the daughter of Carl V. and Gladys L. (Cousins)
Thurber.
Shirley attended North Pownal schools and graduated from North Yarmouth Academy in 1944. Upon
graduation, she accepted a position with the FBI in Washington, D.C., where she worked as a stenographer.
After returning to Maine, she worked in the financial office at the Pownal State School, where she met her
future husband.
She married Randall B. Verrill in 1948. Together they built a home and farm buildings, raising cattle and
broilers. Shirley was a devoted homemaker and was actively involved in her husband’s business endeavors. She
served as Treasurer and bookkeeper for Cumberland Grain Company and was truly a “Jill of all trades.”
Whenever her husband needed help, Shirley could be found driving truck, raking hay, or cleaning apartments.
She also worked in the butcher shop when her husband and father-in-law raised turkeys on the Verrill farm in
Cumberland, Maine.
Shirley maintained a large vegetable garden each summer and preserved fruits and vegetables through canning
and freezing to sustain the family through the winter months.
Shirley served on the North Yarmouth Rescue Unit and worked closely with the dispatcher and compiled a
directory for the North Yarmouth Fire Dept. For many years, she also read water meters and handled the
bookkeeping for the North Yarmouth Water District.
Shirley was a faithful member of Victory Christian Tabernacle and was known as a devoted Bible scholar.
She enjoyed traveling, ice skating, swimming, genealogy, painting rocks, doodling with her granddaughter,
feeding the crows, raising many baby raccoons, puzzles and playing Scrabble. Shirley lovingly knit many
sweaters for her grandchildren and was known for her warm sense of humor and merry spirit that drew people
to her.
She was a member of the Pownal Historical Society, where she assisted with research for the new history
center. Shirley was also an avid bottle collector, with a special interest in Poland Water bottles and Poland
Spring memorabilia.
After retiring, Shirley and her husband spent their winters in the warm climate of St. Cloud, Florida, where they
built a new home. They tended an orange and grapefruit grove and enjoyed riding their trikes throughout St.
Cloud every day.
Shirley was predeceased by her husband, Randall; her parents; and her brothers, George, Kenneth, Arthur and
Marvin.
She is survived by her son, William Verrill and his wife Carolyn; her daughter, Susan Fuller and her husband
Andrew; her grandsons, Jeffrey Verrill, Stephen Verrill, and Randall Copp; her granddaughter, Rachael
Marianelli; and seven great-grandchildren.
In the spring we will hold a graveside memorial service.

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