Shirley Lorraine (Northrop) McDonald

Shirley Lorraine McDonald passed away peacefully, with family by her side, on October 2, 2023, at the Merriman House. Shirley was born in North Conway on January 25, 1935, to the late Horace and Loretta Northrop.

Shirley was a lifelong resident of the Valley, and truly loved ‘home’. She was an incredibly hard worker (she had to be, as a single mother of 6). She was a chambermaid for decades at the Red Jacket, Briarcliff Motel, and Maple Leaf Motel.

Shirley was always up for a good time, and she loved music and dancing. Shirley was the life of the party and a real spitfire. In her final weeks, we told stories and reminisced about all the good times. Two of her lifelong best friends, Shirley Bean and Peggy Light, spent time with her and her loved ones, regaling them with their antics and adventures over their 8 decades of friendship.

Shirley will be remembered for her beautiful smile, adorable dimples, and sparkle in her eyes. She loved cookouts, holidays, rides in the car, going out to eat, but most of all she loved being with her family and friends. A special thank you to her beautiful granddaughter Sheri. Sheri loved her gram more than anything! They enjoyed road trips, shopping trips, and getting ice cream. Sheri took incredible care of Shirley up until the end and we are forever grateful for their special relationship.

Shirley is survived by her brother Paul Northrop and her nephew Brett Northrop; her children: son Brian (Marilyn) Ballou, and their children BJ, Jaime and Sheri, daughter Diane Eldridge, and her children, Phillip, Tina, Kimberly and Justin, son Glenn “Mickey” (Michelle) McDonald and their children Rusty, Nia, Tara, Shane and Nina, son Wayne (Cathy) McDonald and their children Ryan, Caitlin and Caitlyn, son Jody (Mandy) McDonald and their children Conor and Drew. She also leaves behind several great grandchildren.

Shirley is predeceased by her infant son Jay McDonald, son Kevin Ballou, son in law Phillip Eldridge, and grandson Rodney Ballou.

Visiting hours will be held at Furber & White on Monday October 16, 2023, from 2:00pm to 4:00pm. A private graveside service will be held with immediate family at a later date. Shirley’s celebration of life is TBD and will be sent to all who knew and loved her when those arrangements have been finalized.