GORHAM-- Shirley Berry Alden, age 96 died on August 17, 2019. She was loved and admired by her husband, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Born in 1922 Shirley spent her life in Gorham, Maine. She graduated from Gorham High School and Farmington State Teachers College. She taught Home Economics in Rockland and Gorham schools then devoted her life to her home and family. Shirley married John B. Alden on August 24, 1946. Shirley was active in the First Parish Church of Gorham, a member for 73 years and enjoyed being a member of the Cosmopolitan Club of Gorham for many years. She was a diligent gardener and took great pride in furnishing and maintaining her home with the finely crafted furniture John created. Family was a source of great delight to Shirley and she was always interested in the activities of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Even well into her nineties she never forgot a birthday and made cookies for each of her grandchildren on their birthday. Shirley is predeceased by her sister Marilla Hill and her brother William Berry. She leaves her husband of 73 years John B. Alden; their four children Deborah Loveitt and husband Burleigh, Susan Murray, John G. Alden and wife Karen and Heather Alden; grandchildren, Jessica Murray, Kimberly Fadrigon, Jonathan Loveitt, Justin Loveitt, Matthew Alden, Abby Alden, Eli Flanders, Katy Flanders and Sara Flanders, and great grandchildren Jake and John Murray, Madeline and Emily Fadrigon, Lisa Loveitt, Brayden and Julia Loveitt and Minjee Flanders. A memorial service will be held on August 24, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at the First Parish Congregational Church of Gorham, 1 Church St. Gorham, ME 04038 with a committal following at Eastern Cemetery in Gorham. Arrangements are in the care of the Gorham Chapel of Dolby Blais & Segee, 76 State St., Gorham, ME 04038.