DOVER – Ethel “Thelma” C. (Shackford) Mairs, 98, passed away on Friday, July 4, 2014 at the Langdon Place of Dover. Daughter of Nellie (Helyn) Shackford Campbell, Thelma was born on April 1, 1916 in Salem, MA. Much of her youth was spent in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn NY. She attended Catholic school and was taught by nuns until eighth grade & then attended Erasmus High School. She worked 11 years at Eastern Aire Devices in the Clarostat Mill building in Dover and sold Avon Products. She worked for 13 years as the book –keeper for the family business Dover Fuel Company & Dover Diversified. She belonged to the Mothers Club at First Parish Church and was very active raising money for the Cancer Society as well for Multiple Sclerosis Research. Thelma married Alfred W Mairs Jr on December 26, 1937 in Canterbury NH. They lived most of their lives in the home that Al built at 63 Old Dover Point Road in Dover. They enjoyed ballroom dancing in Newmarket and holding indoor flea markets in Newington as well as yard sales at their home. Thelma kept a meticulous home, enjoyed gardening & her house plants. She was an avid pet lover and had many dear cats & dogs, notably Ginger & Boo. She collected knick knacks & would tell you a story about each & everyone & where it came from. She was a devoted mother, wife and caretaker for her parents. She spent countless hours with her grandchildren when they were growing up & they always asked….”Can we stay just one more night?” Thelma & Al also enjoyed time with friends & family on their boat “Mairzy III” Thelma is predeceased by her husband Alfred W. Mairs Jr. and her three best friends, Lillian Pasek, Terry McCabe & Tassie Dominic. She is survived by her two sons, Robert Stephen Mairs of Dover NH and James Albert Mairs & his wife Roberta Maxfield of Nokomis, FL,; four grandchildren Dawn K Young & her husband Patrick of Rosemount MN, Karen C. Mairs & her husband Scott A French of Dover NH, and Wendy C Ross & her husband Ted Ross of Chesterville, ME and James Mairs of Somersworth, NH; and four great-grandchildren., Ian P. Young, & Matthew J Young of Rosemount MN, and Preston M Ross & Gracie E Ross of Chesterville, ME. Carol L Mairs, daughter in law, cousin Elizabeth Hopson & her husband John of CT, nieces Donna & John Willey of Newmarket, NH, Robin & Ray Cardiff formerly of Newmarket, NH & Cindi Couture of Dover, NH , Jamie Hallinan & Josie Hallinan and MANY that called her “Auntie Thelma” A Memorial Gathering will be held at the home of Robert Mairs, 14 Roberts Road, Dover, Friday July 11, 2014 from 4-7 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cocheco Valley Humane Society – 262 County Farm Rd. Dover, NH 03820 or The New Hampshire Association for the Blind – 25 Walker St. Concord, NH 03301. Online condolences may be made at www.purdyfuneralservice.com. Cremation is under the care of the Wiggin-Purdy-McCooey-Dion Funeral Home 655 Central Ave. Dover, NH 03820 – 603-742-1017.