Agnes "Jeanne" (n ee Bombaci) Shea

Agnes “Jeanne” (n ée Bombaci) Shea, 96, of Hanson, MA, formerly of Hanover, MA, entered into eternal rest on Saturday, June 20, 2020. Jeanne was the loving and devoted mother of Edward F. Shea, III and Maureen T. Drinkwater and grandmother of Cecilia Drinkwater. She adored all of her nieces, nephews and godchildren, her sisters-in-law Ruth Page and Muriel McArdle and her cousins Philip and Phyllis Tropea. She was predeceased by her parents, Paul and Rose Bombaci, her husband Edward F. Shea, Jr., her sisters Grace Egan, Mary Ouellette, Josephine Bombaci and Frances Barbaro, and her brothers-in-law Andrew Egan, Joseph Ouellette, Samuel Barbaro, Frederick Page and Thomas McArdle and many cousins and friends.

Jeanne was born and raised in South Boston, MA. A first generation American, Jeanne was proud of her Italian heritage. She was equally proud of her husband Edward’s Irish roots. Jeanne would readily share the story of how important it was to her parents to become naturalized US citizens and assimilate to the US culture.
Jeanne had fond memories of Rust Craft Greeting Card Company, her employer following her 1941 graduation from South Boston High School. There she made several friends and met her future husband Edward. Jeanne worked briefly at the Federal Reserve Bank and the business office of Jordan Marsh, both in Boston.
One of Jeanne’s pastimes was dancing to Big Band music and ballads of her era, such as those of one of her favorite singers Nat King Cole. She cherished time spent with friends. Before marriage, Jeanne vacationed with friends in Fieldston and Hyannis, both in MA. She and her husband Edward shared a love of the ocean and enjoyed relaxing at Cape Cod beaches as a couple and with their children.

Jeanne was a city person at heart but she adapted to a suburban lifestyle to raise her family. Jeanne considered Hanover, MA her adopted hometown. In the 1980s and early 1990s Jeanne worked as a preschool assistant at Stepping Stones Preschool in Hanover. Jeanne delighted in this nurturing role that enabled her to use her creativity, artistic abilities and storytelling skills.
Jeanne was a devout Catholic and a parishioner of St. Mary of the Sacred Heart Church in Hanover, MA. In later years Jeanne attended the Lifeteen Mass at St. Mary’s. Reflective of her faith, one of Jeanne’s favorite sayings was “God willing”.

Jeanne participated in the Hanson Senior Center’s Supportive Day Program and more recently Mater Dei Adult Day Health program. Sociable and always prepared to pay genuine compliments, Jeanne endeared herself to all she encountered. Until health conditions interfered, Jeanne remembered family members’ and friends’ birthdays, anniversaries and other life milestones. Jeanne had a soft spot for animals and was pet grandparent to house bunny Mildred. Jeanne embraced everyone with love and touched all with her kind heart. Donations in Jeanne’s name can be made to St. Mary of the Sacred Heart Church/Holy Mothers Collaborative, Old Colony Hospice and Palliative Care, Hanson Senior Center, Mater Dei Adult Day Health or a charity of one’s choice.

Visiting hours will be held in the Leighton-MacKinnon Funeral Home 4 West Washington St. (Corner Rte. 58) Hanson on Friday June 26th 4-7 PM. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Mary of the Sacred Heart Church 392 Hanover St., Hanover on Monday June 29th at 10 AM.  Burial will be in Centre Cemetery, Hanover.

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