Dorothy T. Shields, 99
GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Dorothy Theresa "Doris" Shields, 99, passed away peacefully Easter Sunday, April 16, 2017, after a brief illness, surrounded by her loving family.
Born in Plains, Pa., on June 22, 1917, she was the daughter of Christopher and Anna Hogan Brannigan.
Mrs. Shields married the love of her life, Francis A. Shields, on March 6, 1942. He predeceased her in 1963.
She was also predeceased by her son, Thomas Christopher Shields, in 2009 and her six siblings.
Mrs. Shields moved to New Jersey early on and worked as a switchboard operator and bookkeeper and retired at the age of 75.
After her husband's death, she spent the next 50 years with her sister, Rose. They moved to Great Barrington in 2002 to be closer to family.
Before the loss of her sight, she enjoyed watching the news and game shows "Jeopardy" and "Wheel of Fortune," reading daily newspapers to keep current, "playing Solitaire all by myself," and never wavering from her beloved Yankees.
A devout Catholic with unflappable faith, she was a communicant of St. Peter's church, attending Mass until it became impossible for her to do so. It was very fitting and special for her to pass on one of the Holiest days of the year.
She leaves her two daughters, Maureen Hosford and her husband, David, and Kathleen "Katie" Shields and her partner, James Daniels; six grandchildren, Tracey Shields (Timothy Lawlor), Christopher Shields, Ryan Shields (Amanda Starr Shields), Corey Shields, Courtney Shields, and Sophia Hosford; six great grandchildren, Natasha, Lorelei, Tristan, Reilly, Trevor and Zachariah, and many loving nieces and nephews.
FUNERAL NOTICE: A Mass for the late Mrs. Shields will be held on Thursday, April 20, at 10 a.m. at St. Peter's Church in Great Barrington, conducted by the Rev. William Murphy. The family will also have a viewing and burial in New Jersey.
Donations in her memory can be made to St. Peter's Building Fund or St. Jude Children's Hospital through the Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230. To send remembrances to her family at www.finnertyandstevens.com.
The family would like to extend a very special thanks to Anna Cambi, Audrey McIntosh and Natalie Weeks for their loving care, kindness and compassion. We couldn't have done it without you! Also to Rebecca Penny for all her support and to Hospice Care of Central & Western Massachusetts. Last, but certainly not least, a very special and heartfelt thank you to Ellen Hosford, Betty Brown and Father William Murphy for their love and support through this difficult process and for being with us right to the end — you are very special people and we love you.