Shirley Mae (McDowell) Barrett

Shirley Mae (McDowell) Barrett, 85, of Cromwell, formerly of Portland, passed away peacefully on January 7, 2025. She was born on February 27, 1939, in Middletown, CT, to the late Thomas McDowell and Gladys Trischman McDowell.  Along with her parents, Shirley was predeceased by her sister, Carol Thereault.

Shirley was a lifelong resident of Middlesex County. She grew up in Middletown, graduating from Middletown High School in 1957, and then attended Teachers College of Connecticut (CCSU). In 1966, she moved to Portland where she was a lifetime resident.

Shirley was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother whose greatest joy in life was her family. She and her beloved husband of 64 years, Clifford Flint Barrett Jr., met in 1958 at the   Teachers College of Connecticut in New Britain and married in April of 1960, and built a loving partnership that has withstood the test of time.

Shirley was a vibrant and active member of her community. She was involved in the Portland Congregational Church and served on the Middlesex YMCA Women’s Board of Directors. She began her career at Middletown Savings Bank, then transitioned to homemaker after having children. When her children were older, she returned to work at Liberty Bank in Portland. However, Shirley’s primary dedication was always to her family.

Shirley was the loving mother of Susan Barrett and her husband Mark Dickson of Killingworth, Nancy Santello and her husband Steve of Cromwell, and Stephen Barrett and his wife Laurie of Rumson, New Jersey. She was the grandmother to Hunter and Cooper Barrett, Benjamin and Ryan Santello, Conor and Anna Dickson and Gillian and Kelli Peters. Her grandchildren were the light of her life, and she cherished every moment spent with them. She baked with them, played ball with them, and attended their school and sporting events with unwavering support.

Shirley was known for her warm heart, strong moral compass, and special talents. She loved to bake and create homemade jelly and pickles, always sharing the fruits of her labor with family and friends. Friendships were a very meaningful part of her life, and she developed and nurtured lifelong relationships with a special circle of friends. This group was deeply important to her and brought her joy and laughter.

Shirley was a true believer in proper etiquette and instilled these values in her children and grandchildren. She often referenced Emily Post’s guidelines and ensured her loved ones were well-versed in table manners, thank you note writing, and the art of gift-giving, along with the joy of baking. Shirley’s legacy will be the warmth, kindness and love she shared with everyone she met. She will be deeply missed by her family, friends and all who were fortunate to know her.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, January 11, from 2:30 to 3:30 pm at the Cromwell Funeral Home, 506 Main Street, Cromwell. A service will follow at 3:30 pm at the funeral home. Burial will be at the convenience of the family.  In lieu of flowers, donation may be made in Shirley’s memory to the National Scleroderma Foundation, P.O. Box 411533, Boston, MA 02241-1533.  To share memories or send condolences to the family, please visit www.doolittlefuneralservice.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Shirley Mae (McDowell) Barrett, please visit our floral store.