New Durham, NH

On December 10, 2017, a red cardinal arrived to open the gates of heaven, to welcome our angel. Shirley Bowden Eaton,the daughter of Pearl Winfred and Hazel (Tilton) Bowden, passed away at home surrounded by her loving family. Since being diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer in August of 2013, she fought with unwavering positivity and hope.

Shirley was born on the 15th of March 1948,at Frisbie Memorial Hospital . Raised in West Lebanon, Maine she attended grade school at Lebanon Elementary, and graduated from Nute High School in1966.

Shirley Bowden married James Eaton in 1970 and moved to New Durham, NH where they raised two daughters. She was employed at Sandy's Coiffures in Farmington, NH for fifty years.Due to her caring heart, many of her clients became lifelong friends as they often shared in each others lives. Many knew her from the Country Daisy Florist, which she owned and operated with her daughter Sandi from '97-'05. Shirley was quite active in the Farmington community and supported the Women's Club for many years. Many knew her to be very artistic and multitalented. Her family nicknamed her "The Cruise Director", because she flourished at planning many family adventures. Shirley created many happy memories with her friends and family at the family cottage, "The Sandcastle,"on the beach in Wells,Maine.

Shirley was loved by all and was a guiding force to everyone she cared about.Shirley leaves behind her devoted husband James, daughter Sandra (Sandi) &son in law Dan Bellemore, daughter Stacy Eaton & boyfriend JT Nagle, beloved grand daughters Olivia & Allison Bellemore, brother James & sister in law Sandra Bowden, sister Sandra & brother in law Charles Diprizio, brother Bill & wife Sonia Bowden, brother in law Craig & sister in law Pat Eaton, sister in law Marilyn Eaton & friend Jerry, numerous nieces & nephews as well as their spouses&families, and many cherished friends.

Shirley was predeceased by her parents, mother and father in law Melvin & Eleanor Eaton, her niece Jennifer Zani, nephew Sean Eaton, and a very special chemo cohort Juanita Dean O'Donnell.

So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, adieu...

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in her memory to:

Amy's Treat at PO Box 2234 Dover, NH 03821 or

Saint Jude's Children's Hospital 501 Saint Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105

A Celebration of her Life will be held on Sunday, December 17, 2017 at 1pm at First Congregational Church on Main Street in Farmington, NH, family and friends are welcome. Interment will be in the spring at Pine Grove Cemetery in Farmington. Cremation care by Peaslee Funeral Home.