THOMASTON — Shirley J. Hooper, 89, died peacefully on Monday, March 23, 2026, following a period of declining health.

Born in Rockland on October 28, 1936, she was the daughter of Richard Sr. and Lillian Aho Makie. Educated locally, she graduated from Rockland High School.

A hard worker her entire life, Shirley began her career as a fish cutter at F.J. O'Hara. After the plant closed, she reinvented herself and went to work at the Augusta Mental Health Institute, where she took courses and passed several tests to earn her position. Often picking up double shifts, she worked tirelessly there for more than 20 years. Her family liked to joke that she could never sit still long enough to relax, so she just kept working.

A woman of great faith, Shirley enjoyed attending church every Sunday until her health no longer allowed it. Her number one priority in life was her family. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and great- grandchildren and cared for them all deeply.

She will be sadly missed by all who loved her.

Predeceased by her first husband Lloyd Hooper in 2011 and her second husband Lloyd Richards in 2019; her son, Douglas Hooper and his wife Janice; her siblings, RichardMakie, Jr., Douglas Makie, and Virginia Norris, and a son-in-law Omar Brown; Shirley is survived by her children, Lloyd ‘Rick’ Hooper and his wife Virginia ‘Ginny’ of Waldoboro, Joyce Brown of Thomaston; her grandchildren, Jessica Ripley and her husband Adam, Lacey Tripp and her husband Matt, Krista Jewell, Angie Murray and her husband John, Christopher Hooper, Theresa Hooper, Joshua Hooper, as well as many great-grandchildren, including a special great-granddaughter who was with her in her last days, Alyssa Jewell; several great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, May 11, 2026 at Rockville Cemetery, Route 17, Rockport.

To share a memory or condolence with the Hooper family, please visit their Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, Rockland.