Meilli Shire Paquin, of Port Deposit, MD, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her loved ones after a courageous battle with cancer.

Born in Ansbach, Germany, Meilli was the daughter of the late Johann and Karolina Wilhelminia Kohn. She studied at the University of Heidelberg, and later when she came to the United States, pursued an advanced degree at the University of Southern California. As a young woman, she was an outstanding gymnast and was chosen for the West German Olympic Team. She was a gifted alto singer and was invited to and sang with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. An accomplished artist, Meilli worked primarily in oils and chalk, and was also a business owner and a dentist. She enjoyed opera and classical music and was a member of the Delaware Saengerbund.

She is survived by her son, Shane V. Shire of Simi Valley, CA; her beloved companion, Mark E. McDonald of Port Deposit, MD; her stepdaughter, Sheila Paquin Lewis of San Antonio, TX and a nephew, Rüdiger Kohn of Nuremberg, Germany. She was preceded in death by sons Mark and Troy Shire, her brother, Hans Rüdiger, and her sister, Hammelore Elfmiede Kohn.

A celebration of Meilli’s life will be held at the San Lin East Restaurant, 953 West Pulaski Highway, Elkton, MD on Friday evening March 8, 2013 at 6:30 p.m. Burial is private. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or Amedisys Hospice c/o R.T. Foard Funeral Home, P.A., 111 S. Queen St., Rising Sun, MD 21911.