Shirley R. Dunlap

GORHAM—Shirley Roberta Dunlap, 89, of Gorham, died peacefully on Friday, February 24, 2017 surrounded by her family at the Gorham House. Shirley was born September 24, 1927 in Gorham, a daughter of Charles and Mildred (Rowe) Nason. She grew up in Gorham and attended school locally. On November 22, 1945, she married Malcolm “Mac” Dunlap. Together, they ran the family farm where Shirley worked right beside Mac doing everything from haying fields and milking cows to making pallets and apple crates and tending the gardens and greenhouse. While raising her family, she also took in foster children and cared for many elderly folks over the years. She was famous for her delicious biscuits (and doughnuts) and canning everything her vegetable garden (and farm) produced. She was the ultimate homemaker, even knitting and crocheting items with yarn she spun from her Agora Rabbit hair. Shirley enjoyed woodworking and was an avid painter. She enjoyed traveling the agricultural fair circuit with Heidi and Katie showing oxen. Her “Fair Family” was very special to her. Shirley, known to many as “Nana” was heavily involved in her community and taught the importance of community to her family. She alongside of Mac, was a caretaker of White Rock Cemetery (where she will be laid to rest next to Mac). She was a member of the White Rock Grange, White Rock Community Club, and the Gorham Fire Department, White Rock Auxiliary. She was also a 4-H Leader of the Junior Victory 4-H Club. Above all, she will be remembered as a kind, caring and fun person, the ultimate matriarch of her family. She is survived by her children, Dale Dunlap and his wife Edie, Heidi Palmer and her husband James; a sister, Beverly Dix; grandchildren, Pamela Mclendon, Brian Dunlap, Bruce Dunlap, Beth Burke, Nicholas Dunlap, Ryan Dunlap, and Katie Holland; great grandchildren, Kyle Mclendon, Megan Dunlap, Haley Dunlap, Samuel Dunlap, Reegan Burke, and Jacob Burke; and one great great grandchild Avery Mclendon as well as several foster children throughout the years. She was predeceased by her parents, Charles and Mildred, her brother, Warren Nason, and her husband, Mac Dunlap; children, Glen Dunlap and Barry “Bear” Dunlap, two babies; and a great grandson, T. Colby Mclendon. A visitation will be held on Monday, February 27, 2017 from 6pm to 8pm at Dolby Funeral Chapel, 434 River Road, Windham, ME 04062. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, February 28 at 11am at the chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations in Shirley’s name may be made to the White Rock Community Club, c/o Patricia Libby, 568 River Rd., Windham, ME 04062.

Shirley R. Dunlap

September 24, 1927 - February 24, 2017

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