Shirley Marie Viel passed away on May 8, 2023 at the age of 86.

On September 14th 1936, Shirley was born to Margaret and Havelock Adams in Lerwick, New Brunswick. The birthing room was a log cabin. She moved to Presque Isle when she was 4. Her father cleared the land and built the house they lived in on Parkhurst Siding Rd.

Her schooling started out in a one room school house in "The Siding". She graduated from Presque Isle High School in 1954. She was offered a college scholarship upon graduation, but instead she chose to work. Her yearbook quote was "It's been a good four years, but I am ready to begin my career."

In 1957, she married her true love, Douglas, and they shared 59 wonderful years of marriage together. They bore 3 children and raised them in New Britain Connecticut. She was a stay at home Mom after the kids were born, and returned to work when her youngest was in high school.

Shirley was good with numbers and was a book keeper working first at Downing's in downtown Presque Isle, then at Rapheal's in New Britain, Connecticut. Her husband owned various shoe stores and a Dairy Queen in their years together. She kept the book for those businesses too. Her last book keeping/office manager position was for an ophthalmologist who seemed more like family than an employer, Dr Zelde.

Shirley loved reading, cooking, pie, Hallmark movies, Days of Our Lives, and road trips with her husband. When Shirley and Douglas retired, they moved back to Houlton, Maine and lived in a lovely ranch with a view of Katahdin.

Shirley and Douglas had a marriage that people aspire to. They were each other’s best friend and every free moment they would be off in the car for a new adventure. Weekends were not meant for cleaning at the Viel house. They were meant for exploring.

Shirley is predeceased by her father Havelock Adams, her mother Margaret Adams, her sister Linda Higgins, and her husband Douglas Viel.

She is survived by her sons Derek Viel, Noel Viel and wife Honorata, daughter Lisa Johnson and husband Michael, sister Grace Adams, and brother Mark Adams

A graveside service will be conducted 2PM Saturday, May 20, 2023 at Fairmount Cemetery. Arrangements in care of Duncan-Graves Funeral Home, 30 Church St., Presque Isle, ME 04769. Online condolences and memories may be shared with the family at: www.duncan-graves.com