CAMDEN — Shirley T. Oladell, 88, died Sept. 8, 2013, at Quarry Hill in Camden. Born in Torrington, Conn., Nov. 25, 1924, she grew up on a farm in Harwinton, Conn., living with her parents, grandparents, an aunt and three brothers. Shirley was raised by a grandmother because her mother worked. She was taught how to cook at the age of 10, and she and her grandmother made 28 loaves of bread each week and she loved cooking.

As a child, she was a member of the 4-H Club, Junior Grange and the junior choir at church. Shirley attended elementary schoo inl a one-room schoolhouse in Harwinton, and high school in Torrington, until she was forced to quit school as a junior due to a family financial crisis.

Shirley had three loves in life, family, cooking and music. She met Marcus Oladell III, her future husband, when he joined her mother's band. In 1943, they married and resided in Harwinton until 1981, when they moved to Maine.

Her employment included several jobs until she was hired as a restaurant chef and started her own catering business, which she did for 40 years. In 1980, Shirley was featured as one of New England's best cooks.

Her memberships and activities included the Grange, Little League Booster Club, Ladies Auxiliary for Harwinton Fire Dept., several choral groups and senior choir.

When her grandson dropped out of high school, Shirley promised him that if he returned to school to get his diploma, that she would get her GED. At age 67, she returned to school and graduated with two grandsons the same year.

Shirley was predeceased by her husband of 58 years, Marcus Oladell III; her son-in-law, David Pierce Sr.; and her grandson, David Pierce Jr. Surviving are her children, Christina Pierce of Camden and Marcus Oladell IV of East Hartford, Conn.; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and many great-nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, Sept. 21, at 4 p.m. at Snow Marine Park on Mechanic Street in Rockland. There will be a memorial service held at Harwinton Congregational Church in Harwinton, Conn., Saturday, Sept. 28, at 1 p.m.

Memorial donations may be made to Make-A-Wish Foundation of Maine, 477 Congress St., Suite M-1, Portland, ME 04101.

Arrangements are with Long Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Camden. Condolences may be shared with the Oladell family by visiting their book of memories online at the funeral home.