Mary C. Shields

With the comfort and support of Vitas Hospice Home Care, Mary Shields joyfully journeyed to meet her God on Sept. 24,2014. She was the widow of Robert A. Shields and leaves her daughter Lois Cody and grandson Paul Cody , and also children and grandchildren from her second marriage, Regina Roberts of Tulsa, OK, Robert Shields of Jupiter,FL and Brittany, Lauren, Peter, Gina and Patrick. Also survived by six nieces and nephews, Rocco Ciravolo and wife Mary Carmen, Mari-Jane Wilbanks , Rocco Baldelli and wife Gloria, Andrew Baldelli and wife Nina, Jo-Ann Sweet and husband Jim and Thomas Ciravolo and wife Tam, thirteen great nieces and nephews, Mark, Garth, Pilar, Matthew, Ava, Noelle, Stephanie, Michael, Ashley, Joseph, Peter , Patrick and Gina. She was predeceased by a daughter Jo-Ann Orefice and her two brothers and a sister, Rocco Ciravolo and wife Mary, Michael Ciravolo and wife Doris and Phyllis Baldelli and husband Andy. Mary was born in Derby,CT a daughter of the late Alfonse and Josephine Botti Ciravolo and later moved to New Haven where she was educated at the former Commercial High School and Stone Business Academy. During WWII she joined many women who worked at the Winchester Repeating Arms Co. Her later career took her to the Whitney Blake Co. where she worked for many years and retired as supervisor of the computer dept. During her retirement years she volunteered at Spring Glen and St. Stephen's elementary schools as an aide. She also made frequent visits to convalescent homes to comfort lonely patients. Mary loved to cook Italian dinners and Sundays were always bustling at her home. She was a parishioner of St. Rita Parish in Hamden and was very devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. God sent special people into her life whom she dearly loved: Rev. Henry P. Cody was like her son. Jo-Ann Mosco and Josephine Mosco who was like a sister to her for seventy five years. Mary's family expresses heart - felt love and gratitude to her live in 24 hr home health care aides, Luba and later her daughter Zakhro, who took extremely good care of her. Also a heart-felt thanks goes to her medical team: Dharini Sun,MD, Robert Ardesia,MD, Mark Hotchkiss,MD and Joseph Camilleri Jr., MD. This team of doctors had a deep concern for her and made the last six years of her life. comfortable. Funeral from Sisk Brothers Funeral Home, 3105 Whitney Ave., Hamden, Monday morning at 10:30. Mass of Christian Burial in St. Rita Church at 11:00. Burial will be private. Friends may call on Sunday from 3 - 6 pm.. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to, St. Rita Parish, 1620 Whitney Ave., Hamden, 06517, the Catholic Office of Radio and Television, 15, Peach Orchard Rd, Prospect, CT 06712, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Pl., Memphis, TN or the Sacred Heart of Jesus Foundation, 5151 N. Ninth Ave., Pensacola, FL, 32504. www.siskbrothers.com

Mary C. Shields

September 24, 2014