Kennebunk, ME – Shirley Irene Ullstrom, 89, died peacefully November 16, 2025 with family by her side. She was born in Greenfield MA on November 20, 1935 to Frederick and Laura (Dube) Rhodes. She was the youngest of six siblings. Shirley attended Greenfield schools and graduated from Greenfield High School.
Shirley worked at tobacco fields as a youth, and then spent many years working at the counter at Sullivan’s Drug Store on Main Street in Greenfield. Other notable occupations include working for Minott Printing, several years as a Home Caregiver, and later on she worked for more than a decade for Baker School Specialty Inc. in Orange, MA.
In 1964, Shirley married John Paul Lessard of Greenfield. Together they had three sons, Louis, Maurice, and Damien. In 1968, they moved to Erving, MA, where Shirley would reside until 2021.
In 1986, Shirley was remarried to Paul Edward Ullstrom. Together they loved taking trips and each other’s company until Paul’s passing in 2000.
After retiring, Shirley began what would perhaps be her most notable and rewarding endeavor when she began volunteering for Life Path’s Senior Companion program. For about 20 years she spent her days visiting seniors in need, driving them to appointments, taking them shopping, or simply listening to them and spending quality time with them. Shirley was very passionate about this venture and was heartbroken when the program came to an end.
An animal lover who always had dogs, cats, and birds as pets, Shirley was also well known in her neighborhood as a rescuer of wounded animals and would gladly take them in and help them rehabilitate.
Her passions also included Astronomy and Science Fiction. Of the latter, most notable was her interest in Star Trek and all of its spin-offs.
The last few years of her life were largely spent with her dear friend Bill Ekstedt of Kennebunk, Maine.
She will forever be remembered as a devoted Mother, Sister, Aunt, and Friend.
Shirley was preceded in death by her son, Maurice. She is survived by her son Louis Lessard of Newburyport, son F. Damien Lessard of Orange and his partner Cory Wells, and Grandsons Max Lessard, Alex Lessard, and Zachary Lowell. She also leaves several nieces and nephews.
It was Shirley’s wishes to have no wake, calling hours, or funeral. She wished to be cremated and have a Mass held at her church of many years, Holy Trinity Church in Greenfield. The Mass will be announced and held at a later date.
The family welcomes any donations in her honor to charities benefitting senior care, or an animal shelter of the donor’s choosing.
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