Lincoln, Maine - On July 3, 2026, Shirley passed away quietly surrounded by her two remaining children and began her journey into Eternal Life. Shirley was born on April 7, 1935, to her loving parents, Samuel and "Amazing" Grace Laskey.

One of nine children, she grew up in Great Works, Maine, and graduated from Old Town High School, class of 1953. Shirley then would go on to begin her nursing career after graduating from New Hampshire State Hospital School of Nursing as a registered nurse. It was at this time she "moonlighted" as a clothing model, which began her love of fashion. She was quite the "fashionista!" In 1956 Shirley met Ronald "Ronnie" King at Jenkins Beach in Holden. Apparently it was love at first sight as they were married in 1957 and had five children. They loved to go dancing on Saturday nights with several couples whom were lifelong friends. They also enjoyed going to Green Lakes on weekends with their children and vacationing in Old Orchard Beach every summer.

Shirley was a very intelligent and talented woman who taught herself carpentry, home remodeling, flower gardening, and was an accomplished seamstress, creating her and daughter Debbie's dresses, outfits, and etc. Dad never knew what to expect when returning from work, be it Mama knocking down kitchen walls to remodel it, painting interior walls, making a beautiful bathroom vanity, and an ornate, upholstered bar.

Shirley began her nursing career in 1958 at the Bangor State Hospital and was soon hired by the Bangor Osteopathic Hospital and transitioned with them to the new James A. Taylor Osteopathic Hospital, where she worked in ICU for years. Management asked her to move to Obstetrics, where she welcomed literally hundreds of babies into this world.

As life goes sometimes, Shirley and Ronnie divorced and she moved to Boynton Beach, Florida, after securing a job at Bethesda Hospital. She enjoyed going to the beach, loving on her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, flower gardening, family get-togethers, "thrifting" with friend, Arlene, and family reunions back in Maine. She also traveled with friend, Bridget, to Israel, Egypt, Tahiti, Australia, and New Zealand. Shirley retired in 2007 at the age of 72 and became a "snowbird" after purchasing a home in Lincoln, Maine, around the corner from sister, Sylvia. She landscaped her lot, built three beautiful flower gardens, and repainted entire interior walls of the house.

Shirley was a very loving and caring daughter, sister, mother, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother, cousin, and friend. She never missed sending birthday, Christmas, anniversary, and get-well cards to all relatives and friends. She was immensely generous donating to dozens of charities, Shriners and St. Judes Children's Hospitals were among her favorites.

In 2021, Shirley sold her house in Florida and moved back to her home in Maine full time with partner, Steve. She loved reading, word puzzles, tending to her flower gardens, chatting with her sister Sylvia on her covered swing, receiving visits from relatives, playing 3-13 (a game taught by her brother, Buz) with her siblings, children, and partner Steve. Shirley had a gorgeous smile that lit up the world and will be missed enormously.

She was predeceased by her parents; her sisters, Mae Goodin and Sandra Drennen; brothers, Henry, Thomas, and Harold "Buz" Laskey; sons, (infant) Terry, Thomas, and Jeffrey King; and countless friends. Shirley is survived by sister, Sylvia Weatherbee (Lincoln) and brother, Douglas (Iris) of Blythewood, South Carolina; son, Scott King of Orono; and daughter, Deborah King of Boynton Beach, Florida. "Nana" is also survived by granddaughter, Heidi Adams (Brandon) and great-grandsons, Caleb and Parker of Denton, Texas; granddaughter, April Robinson (Desharo) Ingraham and great-granddaughters, Summer Robinson, Deonna, Ariah, Julianna Ingraham, Kayla Brown, and great-grandson, Devon Robinson, all of Lake City, Florida; granddaughter, Sarah Robinson and great-granddaughters, Kalanee, Tonee, and Journee Robinson, all of Boynton Beach, Florida; grandaughter, Krystle Womack and great-grandson, Grayson Womack of Long Beach, Mississippi; special friend, partner, and caregiver, Steve Folsom; and special friends, Debra Evinger and Teddy Bear.

Debbie and Scott would like to send many thanks to Dr. Ryan, Dr. Abbott, and the entire staff at Penobscot Valley Hospital in Lincoln. They are truly a professional and caring facility.

Per Shirley's wishes, a catered, casual celebration of life will be held at 12 p.m. September 26 at United Methodist Church in Old Town.

WE LOVE YOU MAMA!!