Shirley Jean Gaudreau

WEST LEBANON, NH- Shirley Jean Gaudreau, 79, formerly of West Lebanon, died Friday, February 25th at the Grafton County Nursing Home in North Haverhill, NH.

She was born May 7, 1931 in Chicago, IL, the daughter of Stanley and Bertha (Lontine) Fairbanks. She graduated from West Lebanon High School and lived in West Lebanon most of her life. While attending West Lebanon High School Shirley was active in sports, especially basketball, as well as dance and theatre. She married Wilfred "Jake" Gaudreau August 12, 1950. While Mr. Gaudreau served in Korea, she lived on an Army base in Pennsylvania where she worked as a nurse's assistant. Shirley worked for many years at the Red Cross Pharmacy in West Lebanon beginning at the fountain and later working as a Pharmacy assistant until retiring.

Mrs. Gaudreau enjoyed bowling; she was a member of the New Hampshire Bowling Association and was a former "Queen of the Lanes" at the former Twin State Bowl in Lebanon. When her children were younger she volunteered at the Whaleback Ski Week and enjoyed ice-skating. In her later years she enjoyed keeping up with her grandchildren's athletics.

She was predeceased by her husband Wilfred "Jake" Gaudreau in 1998and a brother Raymond "Bud" Fairbanks.

Survivors include a son, Peter W. Gaudreau of Fairlee, VT, two daughters, Tami-Jean Esbjerg of Colchester, VT and Michele "Mickey" Potwin of South Pomfret, VT; ten grandchildren Joel Carey, Darci Barry, Robin Potwin, Chris Potwin, Nicole Gaudreau, Caleb Chase, Kellyn Chase, Ryan Esbjerg, Jake R. Gaudreau Esbjerg and Abbie-Jean Esbjerg; seven great-grandchildren two brothers, Richard "P-Nut" Fairbanks of Las Vegas, NV and Robert Fairbanks of New Jersey as well as 12 nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held later in the spring at the Knight Funeral Home in White River Jct., VT.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Grafton County Nursing Home Alzheimer's Unit, 3855 Dartmouth College Highway, North Haverhill, NH 03774.