Elaine M. Shea

Shea, Elaine Marie (Fitzgerald). A lifetime resident of Arlington passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her six children on March 29, 2021. Beloved wife of the late William E. Shea. Loving mother of William J. and wife Meg of Belmont, Michael and wife Jane of Reading, Taryn LaRaja and husband Ray of Amherst, Katlyn Shea of Lincoln, Meghan Shea and husband Brian Pendleton of Arlington, Kristen Donahue and husband Micah of Newburyport. Proud grandmother of Brigette, Elizabeth, Paul, Conor, Erin, Alex, Kathryn, Luca, Cameron, Phineas, Téa, Emma, Max, Lucy, and Owen. She is survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews, and her brother Richard and was predeceased by her brothers Arthur and Neil. Elaine touched many lives. She had an extraordinary capacity to connect with people in a caring and authentic way. She showed her love and appreciation for others by writing poems and books, giving lots of hugs, and sharing her famous chocolate chip cookies. Elaine was dedicated to helping people find their voice, which inspired her to be one of the founders of the First Step domestic violence support group in Arlington. She was a graduate of Matignon High School, Newton College of the Sacred Heart, and Boston University School of Social Work, where she earned her Masters while raising six young children. She had a special place in her heart for so many people and places including her Lincoln Street neighborhood, where this past year she initiated weekly outdoor gatherings to inspire hope during the pandemic. Elaine was proud to be from Arlington and worked to make it a community of upstanders who look out for one another. She modeled how being grateful, helping others, and being true to oneself leads to a happy and fulfilling life. Relatives and friends are invited to visit in the DeVito Funeral Home 1145 Mass. Ave., ARLINGTON on Monday from 3:00 - 7:00 pm and to her funeral mass on Tuesday at 10:00 am in St. Camillus Church. Please meet directly at church. All attendees are required to wear face coverings, practice social distancing, and pay their respects and exit the funeral home promptly to allow other guests to enter. A limited number of guests will be allowed in the building at one time. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Elaine’s memory to: Arlington’s AYCC/First Step 670R Mass. Ave., Arlington, MA 02476 or arlingtonma.gov/departments/health-human-services/arlington-youth-counseling-center-aycc/donate; Project Hope Boston 550 Dudley St., Roxbury, MA 02119 or prohope.org; Salvation Army’s Arlington Shea House, Cambridge Salvation Army - for Shea House, 402 Mass. Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139 or give.salvationarmy.org/give/171555/#!/donation/checkout. Please visit devitofuneralhome.com to view an online guestbook.