Shirley L. (Williams) Chamberlain died on August 18, 2014, at approximately 2 p.m.

Shirley was born May 3, 1945, in Tacoma, Washington, the second of two children born to her parents. Shirley had been suffering from mental dementia.

Her family moved often during her school years, but in 1953, her parents began spending vacations in the Boothbay area, purchasing land on Sawyer’s Island and building a cottage. Shirley felt a calling to Maine, especially to the Boothbay area. Shirley attended high school in Beverly, Massachusetts, but graduated from Maumee Country Day School in Toledo, Ohio. She attended Otterbein College in Ohio, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in French. While at Otterbein, she spent her junior year studying in France. Upon graduation, she spent a year traveling in Europe, and upon returning, she began living in the Boothbay Harbor region.

Shirley had a number of jobs in those early years, including an ice cream cart in the summer. She also worked in a number of restaurants before deciding to become a real estate broker. In 1976, she married Bruce Chamberlain, but the marriage ended a few years later. In 1980, she discovered and embraced Alcoholics Anonymous, which became an important focus in her life. She used her AA knowledge to help, support and care for others, providing much support to them. A later career of hers was leading tours as a tour guide in the Canadian Maritime and Maine Coast, as well as tours in major U.S. and European cities.

Shirley was a regular attendee and member of the Boothbay Harbor Congregational Church. Shirley was predeceased by her parents, A. Carol Williams, and her father, Joseph Williams. She is survived by her brother, J. Mills Williams, and his family.

A service will be held at the Congregational Church of Boothbay Harbor, 125 Townsend Avenue, on Thursday, Sept. 4, at 4 p.m., with the Reverend Dr. Sarah Foulger officiating.