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Note: Home in 1930 Weymouth, Norfolk, Massachusetts Home in 1940 Weymouth Town, Norfolk, Massachusetts
Ancestors that arrived on the Mayflower Richard Warren 1578-1628 William Brewster 1566-1644 Mary Brewster 1569-1627
She was captivated watching her grandfather who was a noted wood worker so when it came time for high school she found she could major in cabinet making and did. After graduation in 1946 from Weymouth Vocational School she wanted to go to teachers college and return as an instructor but was turned down because of her gender. She was the first girl in New England to go to an all boys school. Her husband later said she could make the bread box but not the bread. Her second interest was in flying and she became a private pilot on 23 Dec 1947 at age 17 which at the time was one year before she could legally drive an automobile. She earned money for her flying lessons by delivering newspapers. She taught her husband, and all her children how to fly. She became airport manager at Whitefield NH in 1955. She was involved in many daring rescues and received numerous awards and honors. She was a guest on the television program To Tell The Truth. She crashed and died flying back from Canada in a snowstorm.
She is buried at the Park St Cemetery, Whitefield NH. See tombstone here
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=mahn&GSfn=shirley&GSbyrel=all&GSdyrel=all&GSst=32&GScntry=4&GSob=n&GRid=11588821&df=all&
Her husband in filing for divorce (1969) - cited her for "lack of affection due to love of aviation".
As a young girl Shirley had a dog she named Spike which was needlessly put to sleep and against her wishes. I remember this because it was very traumatic for her. After Shirley died I found Spikes collar in her bedroom. One of many mementos of Shirley that I have. (H A Rideout)
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