ELIOT – Shirley Staples Carswell, 78, of Eliot, passed away on Dec. 12, 2022, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Shirley was born in Madison to Clarence “Taz” and Dorothy “Dot” Staples. She attended Gardiner High School and then pursued a career in Cosmetology. She later earned her associate degree in Computer Science. She married William “Bill” Carswell in 1966 and together they bought their forever home in Eliot.

In 1985, they bought The Paper Patch, a stationary storefront in the Old Port of Portland, which they operated for 11 years. After Bill passed away in 1997, Shirley started her own administrative and bookkeeping business for various clients.

Shirley was a lover of adventure, often planning her next grand trip. She traveled around the world to many countries and successfully achieved her goal of visiting all 50 states. She became famous among many people for her brownies. She would often spend a day baking an endless amount of brownies to share with family, neighbors, and the community.

One of her favorite past times was working on jigsaw puzzles. She was always looking for the next challenging puzzle and she completed every single one she started, no matter the difficulty. Her love and curiosity for bridges led her to follow the recent construction of the Sarah Mildred Long Bridge, which connects Maine and New Hampshire. She was proud to share that she was given the opportunity to meet the crew several times and write her name on a steel beam of the bridge during construction.

Shirley will be missed by her family, friends, and the community.

She was predeceased by her husband of 31 years, Bill Carswell; her father, Clarence Staples, her mother, Dorothy Staples; and her sister, Betsy Lerette.

She is survived by her brother, Jon Staples and wife Bettye of New York; her daughter, Dottie and husband John of Maine; granddaughter, Kelly and her husband Michael of Maine; two great-grandchildren; and several beloved cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

At her request, there were no formal services.

Shirley would often say “nothing is a waste if it creates a memory.” She loved life and wished for all to celebrate her life in a way that is meaningful and memorable. Her ashes will be scattered privately at a future date.

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