Mary Ellen Shea

Mary Ellen (Melendy) Shea, age 86, passed away peacefully in the Seasons Hospice Center in Milton, Massachusetts on Tuesday, November 20, 2018.  Born in Boston, Massachusetts on December 14, 1931, she was the daughter of the late Charles H. and Catherine A. (Lennon) Melendy.  She was raised in the Roxbury area of Boston and graduated from the Jeremiah Burke High School with the Class of 1948. 

 

After graduation, Mary worked various positions, until she met her husband to be, John J. Shea, through mutual friends.  Mary and Jack were married on May 21, 1955 in the Gate of Heaven Church in South Boston and initially made their home together in Dorchester.  The young couple later moved to Westwood in 1960 before eventually settling in Walpole, Massachusetts in 1968 and Mary took on the role of a homemaker, raising and caring for her young family.

 

Throughout her life, Mary loved shopping to find a good bargain.  She looked forward to her trips to Kohls and loved spending Saturdays with Jack visiting all the local yard sales.  As a selfless person, Mary was always on the lookout to find an item that someone in her family may need and would generously gift the item to them.  She also enjoyed taking trips to the area casinos and was always up for a a game of bingo at the Walpole Senior Center.  Mary enjoyed her quiet time as well, listening to Irish Music while completing crossword puzzles, or cheering on her beloved Red Sox.  Most of all, Mary was devoted to her family, treasuring every minute she spent with those she loved.  In her later years, Mary looked forward to her winter get away with Jack to their home in Port Charlotte, Florida, but equally looked forward to her return home to Walpole to see her children and grandchildren.

 

Beloved wife of the late John J. “Jack” Shea.

Loving mother of Eileen Harding and her husband Richard of Rochester, Maureen Curran and her husband Shawn of Taunton, Cathleen Sonnenberg and her husband Richard of Walpole, and the late Michael Shea.

Cherished grandmother of Kerry DeSista, Christopher Shea, Brian Curran, Daniel Curran, Jack Sonnenberg, and Kasi Sonnenberg and great grandmother of Lindsay DeSista, Matthew DeSista, George Shea, and Helen Shea.

Sister of the late Catherine Lordan, Joseph Melendy, and James Melendy.

Also survived by many nieces and nephews.

 

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Mary’s Life Celebration on Friday, November 23, 2018 from 4 to 8 PM and Saturday, November 24, 2018 from 9 to 9:30 AM in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Blessed Sacrament Church, 10 Diamond Street, Walpole on Saturday, November 24, 2018 at 10:00 AM.  Interment will follow in the Westwood Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: The Walpole Council on Aging, 135 School Street, Walpole, MA 02081.