OBITUARY: Elizabeth A. (Shea) Maguire, 85

Below is an obituary from Nichols Funeral Home:

WILMINGTON, MA — Elizabeth Ann (Shea) Maguire, fondly known as Betty to family and friends, age 85, formerly a long-time resident of Wilmington, MA, passed away peacefully on April 1, 2025, surrounded by her family.

Betty was born at home on the farm of her parents in Waterford, Prince Edward Island, Canada, on February 27, 1940. She was the cherished daughter of the late Gerald Bertram Shea and Anne (Broderick) Shea. Betty grew up on the Shea farm in Waterford, she was the 8th child in this large and loving family of eighteen children.

Betty moved to the United States in 1960, settling in Boston, MA. She met her future husband John Maguire from Galway, Ireland, at Carson Beach in South Boston. He worked at Hood’s Milk Company in Boston, MA. The coupled married on April 16, 1966, in Jamaica Plain, MA, and lived on Mozart Street in Jamaica Plain, MA, for several years where they started their family.

On January 12, 1972, the couple moved to their home at 6 Fairview Ave. in Wilmington, MA, where they raised three wonderful children. Betty and John, along with their children, shared many great memories with family and friends throughout the years before John’s untimely passing on January 30, 1998, at their home with Betty at his side. John truly loved Betty and his pet name for her was “Queenie”.

In 1979, Betty returned to the work force, taking a position at General Electric for ten years and later General Electric was taken over by Ametek, which manufactured electric motors and electronic equipment. Betty worked for Ametek for an additional ten years where she made many friends with her coworkers; she retired in 2000.

Betty enjoyed traveling to various places including Ireland to visit her husband, John’s family. She loved going to Las Vegas every few years to play the slots. She was most excited to go back to the Island (Prince Edward Island) every summer to spend time with her family and numerous friends. She never truly left the island.

Among Betty’s other hobbies she loved to play bingo every Thursday night and she treasured collecting hummels. Her most favorite thing though was to cook, especially large family meals for holidays. She was always the happiest when the family was together for her turkey dinners and her house was full of family and friends.

Betty will be fondly remembered as a wonderful lady who loved her family and friends with all her heart. She looked forward to spending every free moment with family, especially her husband, children and grandchildren whom she adored. Betty’s passing has left a void, but her memory will live on in the hearts of those she loved.

Elizabeth was the beloved wife of the late John J. Maguire, Sr., devoted mother of Paula M. Dewar of Groton, MA, John J. Maguire, Jr. of Bradford, MA, and Michael J. Maguire and his wife Charissa of West Springfield, MA. Loving “Grammy” of Chelsey, Chandra and husband David, Donald, Connor, Annelise, Ryan, Aaron, and great-granddaughter Layla. Dear sister of Lorraine, Marjorie, Geraldine, Ralph, John, Camilla, and Rita; she was pre-deceased by her siblings Kevin, Mary, Alvin, Louis, Dick, Marion, Walter, Roy, Brendan, and Norbert. Elizabeth is survived by her large extended family in Canada, as well as her many nieces and nephews and their families.

Family and friends are welcome to gather for Visitation at the Nichols Funeral Home, 187 Middlesex Ave. (Rte. 62), Wilmington, MA, on Friday, April 4th from 10:00 -12:00 followed by a Service at 12:00 noon. Interment will take place in Wildwood Cemetery, Wilmington, MA.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Elizabeth’s memory may be made to the American Parkinsons Disease Association, Massachusetts Chapter and mail to APDA, 85 East Concord Street, Ground Floor, Boston, MA 02118.

To leave a message of condolence for the family please visit our website at www.nicholsfuneralhome.com.