Shirley Ann (Brobst) Lake

PORTLAND – Some lives are not measured in the years lived, but rather the love given and received.

Shirley Ann Brobst Lake was born on Nov. 5, 1960, at Karamasal U.S. Air Force Base in Turkey where her father (or as she often called him “Daddy-O”) Richard Brobst Sr. was stationed. She died at Maine Medical Center in Portland after a sudden illness on March 25, 2025. As her father continued to serve, she was raised in the U.S. Navy. They traveled the country every few years in the family’s VW bug establishing new homes, but eventually she would graduate from Greely High School in Cumberland in 1978. Maine would become her final and beloved home. “Shirl” attended the University of Farmington until she married and moved to Florida where she received her B.A in Education at the University of Central Florida in 1982.

She began her professional career at Barnett Bank in Florida, and her volunteer career with the Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity. Shirl moved back home to Maine in 1993 with her son. She started working in the promotional marketing industry, eventually owning her own well-respected business. She was known for being helpful, kind, and focused on positive relationships with her customers, not large financial sales.

In her later years, she pivoted to her first love – education. Shirl was a childcare provider, deciding to retire just recently to spend more time with family. She also made time to volunteer at Friday lunches at her church, First Congregational Church of North Yarmouth, as she had historically been a Sunday School volunteer and superintendent.

Shirl adored her mother, Priscilla Brobst, and treasured their time together. They would go on walks, shop at Marden’s, play Cribbage, review genealogy, cook, or share family stories. Her Daddy-O has been waiting for her to join him since his death in 2018. Two weeks before his unexpected passing, Shirl was privileged to share an Honor Flight with him as his caretaker, allowing him to have one of the best experiences of his life.

As with many children who grow up in the military, her most consistent lifelong best friends and tormentors were her brothers Rich and Steve, all born in rapid succession. Shirl and Steve were not only in the Grange together, they shared in commiseration for a summer job picking vegetables. As a pre-teen, she successfully convinced her parents to add a sister, Sara, forever known to her as “Sissy”. Despite their age difference, they became the best of friends. As the matriarch of her generation, Shirl was the caretaker of her family, which continued as the family expanded. As her siblings’ families grew, so did Shirley’s love for them all.

For the last 16 years, Shirl focused love and attention on her partner, Bruce Walters. They established a home in Harrison, and were looking forward to their retirement years together.

Shirl’s favorite role in life was that of mother to her son, David. He is her greatest accomplishment, and she would regale anyone and everyone about his successes. She was the very best mother. All of his childhood friends grew up in her house to eat her homemade snacks and bask in the love she shared with them all. When David married his wife, Amanda, and they expanded the family to include their son, Jackson, Shirley was so very proud. She was just beginning to show us all the amazing grandmother that we knew she would become.

Shirl spent her entire adult life feeding her family as it grew – mostly a variety of desserts and breads. She had perfected her baking skill and her family cherished the nurturing that she provided their bodies and their souls. Her passing will starve four generations and beyond, of her love, both literally and figuratively.

She was taken suddenly and far too soon, but her entire family takes solace in the fact that she did in death, what she did in life – she gave unselfishly. Her last act on this earth was to donate her organs so that others may live.

She was predeceased by her father, Richard William Brobst Sr.

Shirley leaves behind her mother, Priscilla Brobst; son, David (Amanda) Lake and grandson, Jackson; partner, Bruce Walters; brothers Richard (Sharon) Brobst, Jr. and Steven (Terry) Brobst, sister, Sara (Jeremiah) Bartlett; nephews Adam (Kemery), Erik (Erin), Joshua Brobst, Tristan Bartlett, her favorite niece, Karinne (Jay) Brobst; and grandnephew, Theo VanderClock. She was loved beyond measure by many aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and so many others who were lucky to have known her.

A celebration of her life was held at the North Yarmouth Congregational Church on March 29. A graveside service will be held in the spring.

Without fail, Shirley ended every phone call, email, and even text message to us all with “Love you.” Shirley, better known as Mom, Grammy, Daughter, Sister, Aunt, Partner, Cousin and Friend, we are all richer for having been loved by you.

Arrangements graciously handled by Lindquist Funeral Home, Yarmouth.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the

Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland in Westbrook.