Shirley L. Parker Meserve, 88, died peacefully on Nov. 2, 2024, at Biddeford Estates from multiple illnesses she refused to let family and friends know about.

She was a very stubborn person.

She was born in Biddeford, Maine, on Jan. 10, 1936, the daughter of Richard and Ruth Parker of Saco.

She attended Saco schools and Thornton Academy, was in the graduating class of 1954.

Shortly after, she married Carl Meserve of Saco, divorcing in 1985.

After raising five children, Shirley went back to work and retired from Sears and Roebuck in South Portland.

She loved being outside with her flowers, bushes and trees, while watching all the wild birds and animals around her.

She was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Saco, where she enjoyed being a member of ECW Group.

She is preceded in death by: a son, Frank B. Meserve in 2014; brother, Richard Parker in 2022l and sister-in-law, Cheryl Parker in 2024.

She is survived by: her daughter, Marline Tarbox and husband Ernie of Old Orchard Beach; sons, Clayton Meserve of Saco, Danny Meserve and wife Charity of Saco, and Marc Meserve of Saco; cousin, Forrest Curtis of Colorado; grandchildren, Sam Tarbox, Amanda LaGrange, Carl Meserve and Max Meserve all of Saco; extended family, Liz Merrill of Old Orchard Beach and Elaine Cyr of Lewiston.

She wanted to thank her doctors and nurses, Saco Fire and Rescue, Scarborough Rescue, Saco Police and Dispatchers, staff at St. Andre’s, staff and residents at Biddeford Estates, staff of Home Hospice of Southern Maine and Shirley would have wanted me to say thank you to the staff of Dennett Craig and Pate Funeral Home for her.

Very special thank you to Diane for being a new friend and keeping an eye on Shirley during her last months.

Services will be a private scattering of her ashes at a later date. Dennett Craig and Pate Funeral Home are entrusted with her arrangements.