Jane E. Shea, 69, a lifelong resident of Pittsfield, died peacefully with family by her side on March 16th at the home of her sister on Kirchner Road in Dalton, MA after a courageous battle with breast cancer. She was born on January 31, 1947, a daughter of the late Ralph A. Shea and Grace A. Shea. She attended St. Joseph Elementary School and graduated from St. Joseph Central High School in 1965. After high school, Jane worked briefly as a switchboard operator at the then Hillcrest Hospital before taking a position with the Berkshire Life Insurance Company. She retired from Berkshire Life after more than thirty years of service. For the past fifteen years, she has been employed by the City of Pittsfield, first at the Office of Community Development and most recently at the Pittsfield Fire Department where she was the administrative assistant to the Chief. Jane was an avid shopper and could not pass by a Christmas Tree Shop, Trader Joe's, Salvation Army or Goodwill Store without stopping to "check it out". She spent her time making seasonal crafts/gifts, compiling a catalogue of family recipes, watching HGTV and the Food Network and surfing PINTEREST with her brand new Apple I-Pad. She volunteered her time to assemble Easter Day treats for Whitney Farm and was active for the past ten years organizing events and monthly dinners for her fellow high school alumni. She enjoyed vacationing at The Cape with family and a close circle of friends and would spend the day rummaging through the numerous thrift shops and churchyard sales. She was huge fan of Tom Jones. At the last of his concerts she attended, she was at the front of the stage laughing and having a great time yelling for him to "take it all off" especially when he sang Kiss. Throughout her life Jane met many people and made many friends who enriched her life and gave her great joy. Her loyal friends never let her down. She loved her job and respected her coworkers and held them and their families in great fondness. Jane knew she could count on them. She touched many lives remembering and caring for each and every person she met. If you knew Jane, the conversation was always all about you and not about her. But most of all, Jane adored her two nieces, great nephew and great niece giving them all her love, her heart and her soul. She is survived by her sisters; Sally E. Cummings of Charlton, NY, Lynne M. Shea of Dalton, MA, Rebecca A. Strout of Pittsfield, her nieces, Sara J. Strout and Caitlyn G. Strout, her great nephew, Holden LaRocque and great niece Ava LaRocque all of Pittsfield.



FUNERAL NOTICE: Funeral services for Jane E. Shea who died March 16, 2016 will be held Tuesday at 11:00 AM at DERY FUNERAL HOME. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery. Calling hours will be held Monday from 4 to 7 PM at the Dery Funeral Home. Memorial donations in memory of Jane may be made to the Berkshire Humane Society or to Hospice Care of the Berkshires both in care of the funeral home, 54 Bradford Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201.

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