Obituary of Shirley Q. Estes

Shirley (Quirion) Estes, 90, wife of the late Harry R. Estes, II, died January 22, 2024 in Bangor after a period of declining health. She was born Oct. 20, 1933, the daughter of Godfrey A. and Eliza (Stewart) Quirion. 

Shirley was a graduate of Brewer High School in 1951, where she was a cheerleader. In high school, she met her future husband of 64 years, Harry R. Estes II and they were married in 1952. After working in a medical office for a few years, Shirley owned and operated Brewer Fabric Shop. She opened in 1970 and was so proud to have been a female business owner. Brewer Fabric started out in a small space across from the old Brewer Middle School. Over the years, she expanded and grew her footprint four times, eventually moving her store to Bangor across from the Bangor Mall. She often traveled solo to ‘buying shows’ in New York City and always said she had the best girls and customers. 

During retirement, she and Harry enjoyed summers at Phillips Lake and spent winters in Florida at Ocean Village on Hutchinson Island. From holiday parties to hosting dinner or coming over for coffee, they loved to entertain and spend time with family and friends. Shirley was so proud of her home built by her father, Godfrey. She loved to decorate (and clean), she took a lot of pride in her home. Shirley and Harry were proud of many things including their hometown, Brewer. They said out of any place in the world, Brewer is the best to be. Shirley found great joy in supporting Brewer Athletics. She enjoyed watching her granddaughter, Sarah, as a player and coach and watching her son, Skip during his softball coaching career as well as “going to the ball games” with Harry and her close friends Cynthia and Nate Churchill. 

Shirley moved into the Ellen M. Leach home in 2020, two weeks before the pandemic closed everything down. As much as she hated to leave her home, she truly loved her time and friends at ‘Leach House.’ 

Surviving are two children, Ronald Estes and his wife, Beverly of Old Town and Harry "Skip" Estes, III and his wife, Susan of Brewer; three grandchildren, Sarah Estes Clark and her husband, Adam of Brewer, and Cory and Casey Estes of Old Town and; four great grandchildren Carter, Brielle, Ameila and Hadley Estes. She is also survived by her special friends Cynthia and Nate Churchill and Vicky and Everett Bennett. She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 64 years, her parents, and sister, Lorraine Q. Harvey. The family would like to thank everyone at Westgate Manor in Bangor for the excellent care and comfort they provided both Harry and Shirley in their final days. 

Shirley’s wishes were to have a time to gather and celebrate. Family and friends may visit Wednesday January 31, 2024 at Jeff’s Catering, 15 Event Center Way, Brewer from 4-7 for a meal and celebration of life. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make memorial contributions to the Brewer Athletics, c/o David Utterback, 79 Parkway South, Brewer, ME 04412.