Mary E (Craig) Shea

Mary Elizabeth (Craig) Shea, 86, of Edelweiss Village Assisted Living, West Roxbury, formerly of Waterford, CT passed away on March 25, 2021 with her devoted husband by her side.

Beloved wife of John B. Shea, Jr., mother of John Shea (Nell) of Salem, MA, Cathleen Shea (John Connelly) of Needham, MA, Craig Shea (Carolyn) of Edgewater, NJ and Patrick Shea (Kathleen) of Trabuco, CA, and seven grandchildren: Maeve Connelly, Madeline Connelly, Alexander (Alex) Shea, John Shea, Julie Shea, Patrick Shea, and Garrett Shea. Her grandchildren were her greatest joy. She is also survived by her brother James (Ken) Kenneth Craig and wife Bonnie of Stonington, CT, and their two children, Jay Craig of Seattle, and Susannah (Suzi) Craig of West Hartford, CT.

Mary graduated from Holy Family High School in New Bedford, MA in 1952. She and her husband John of nearly 65 years were married in New Bedford, MA and then moved to Connecticut soon after. John began his career as a court reporter for the State of Connecticut. As residents of Waterford, CT for 42 years, John and Mary owned Shea & Sullivan, a successful court reporting business.

To say Mary kept active is an understatement. She was an avid reader and frequent flier of the Waterford Public Library. Exercise was part of her daily routine and she attended a jazzercise class until she was in her early 80s. She loved bird watching and living near the ocean and most weekends, was a good sport about her husband’s love of sailing.  She leaves behind many cherished friends in Connecticut.

Mary was dedicated to her church, St. Paul’s of Waterford, CT, and served as a Eucharistic minister and on the altar committee for many years.  

As a young mom, Mary loved camping and family trips and raising her kids with her cousins Marguerite (Honey) and Suzanne. Later, as a treasured Grammy, she spent as much time with her grandkids as possible, with lots of road trips to Needham and Salem, MA, and holidays and long summer visits in Waterford.

The family is most grateful for the care and support of the Edelweiss Village staff in particular Joanie Holmes, the Amada Senior Care team especially Carmelle Wagmac and Good Shepherd Community Care.

A Memorial Mass and Celebration of Life service is being planned for Summer 2021 in Waterford, CT.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Haitian Health Foundation in Mary Shea’s honor: https://www.haitianhealthfoundation.org 

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