Shirley M. (Steward) Sawyer, 81, of Lakeville, died Tuesday, January 10, 2012, at Morton Hospital in Taunton, MA after a period of declining health.
She was the wife of Homer I. Sawyer.
Born and raised in Skowhegan, Maine, the daughter of the late William and Elsie M. (Littlefield) Steward, she had resided in Skowhegan and in Pittsfield, MA, prior to moving to Lakeville 10 years ago.
Mrs. Sawyer had been a volunteer and was past president of the Skowhegan Food Cupboard, and a member of the Nautical Whalers Parrot Head Club. She enjoyed quilting and gardening. She was always at the center of family life, taking the pulse of the Steward clan and reporting back to its members, organizing activities, and keeping everyone informed. She has left a strong legacy of love and family devotion.
Survivors include her husband, Homer; a daughter, Karen L.S. Corbett and her husband, James E. Corbett, Jr. of Lakeville; a son, William S. Sawyer and his wife, Barbara J. B. Sawyer of Midlothian, VA; 3 brothers, Percy Steward of Canaan, ME, Ernest Steward of Manchester, ME, and Philip Steward of Skowhegan, ME; a sister, Jesse Wing of Dixfield, ME; 6 grandchildren, Brian Sawyer, Beth Sawyer Kobus, James E. Corbett, III, Liam Corbett, Katherine Corbett, and Brendan Corbett; 7 great-grandchildren, Andrew, Emberlyn, Henry, Aurora, James IV, Owen, and Maximus; and many nieces and nephews.
She was the sister of the late Paul Steward, Mildred Leo, and Dorothy LeClair.
Her Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, June 30, 2012 at 12:30 PM in Centenary Methodist Church in Skowhegan, ME. Burial will follow in South Side Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charities of the Nautical Whalers Parrot Head Club, c/o Maureen Woolley 249 Summit St., New Bedford, MA 02740 or Skowhegan Community Food Cupboard 16 Cariani St., Skowhegan, ME 04976. Arrangements are with the Saunders-Dwyer Home For Funerals, 495 Park St. New Bedford, MA 02740. For on-line guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.