Shirley Brown, 86, of Melcher Court, Groveton, died peacefully surrounded by family on Friday, December 13, 2013 following a lengthy illness. Shirley was born September 25, 1927 in Madawaska, Maine, the daughter of John and Lyse (Gagnon) Perkins. She moved with her family back to Northern New Hampshire, growing up in Berlin, Stark and Groveton. She attended local schools, graduating from Groveton High School in 1945. In 1946 she married the love of her life, Paul B. Brown of Stratford. Together they raised 6 children while living in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Kansas, Wisconsin, Vermont and New York. While living in New York State, in addition to raising her own children, she and her husband also served as County parents, taking in and nurturing 29 foster children, one of whom they adopted and rose as one of their own. Her husband died in 1981. A year later Shirley moved back to Groveton and became actively involved in church and community activities. She worked for a number of years as an advocate for (RESPONSE- to family and sexual violence), helping many women and children. She later spent several years as an Activity Assistant for Country Village Nursing Home in Lancaster, from which she retired in 1992. Shirley is survived by her children, Neal and wife Maria Brown of Colebrook; Paula Brown of Carthage, New York; Melissa Brown and her partner Brad Curtis of Bloomfield, Vermont; Julie Marshall of Groveton; Ruth and husband Roger Caron of Stark; and Susan Brown of South Paris, Maine. She is also survived by 17 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild, and her beloved sister and best friend Patricia Woodward of Groveton, and many nieces and nephews. She was pre-deceased by her parents, husband, son John Michael and grand-daughter Kirby who both died at birth; and siblings Gordon Perkins, Arline Sheridan, Pauline Gallant and Kenneth Perkins. Calling hours for Shirley will be held on Monday; December 16 from 2-4 and 7-9pm at the Armstrong-Charron Funeral Home in Groveton. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, December 17 at 11:00am at St. Francis Xavier Church in Groveton. Burial will be at a later date at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to either the Weeks Medical Center; % Kathy St.Onge ; 173 Middle Street; Lancaster, NH 03584; or Northwoods Home Health & Hospice; 278 Main Street: Lancaster, NH 03584.