Teresa A. Culverwell Shea Obituary
Teresa A. Culverwell Shea, 69, passed peacefully on the morning of Friday, January 27, 2023, lovingly embraced by family after a courageous 3-year battle with breast cancer.
Terry, to those who knew her best, was born in Pittsfield, MA, June 5th, 1953, to Edward and Mary Duquette Culverwell. Terry spent her early years in Longmeadow, MA, graduating from Longmeadow High School in 1971. She then graduated from Lasell Junior College in Newton, MA.
The Terry we all cherished was the kindest, most positive, exuberant soul…pure sunshine. Even when faced with the darkest days that followed her diagnosis, never did she let her light dim. Strangers were always drawn to her and every room she entered was lit by her infectious smile and laugh. Her flair for fashion and sense of style, unparalleled. Terry raised her two children in her beloved antique Main Street Essex home overlooking the gorgeous Essex River, which served as a childhood playground for her son and daughter. She enjoyed many entrepreneurial ventures over the years including Tom Shea's Restaurant & Essex River House Motel in Essex, MA and other small businesses including Red Barn Marketplace in NH, which she owned with Randy Roberts. Terry's nonjudgmental and supportive nature nurtured every soul in her path. No one loved live music more than Terry, who was of course the life of the party and the queen of the dance floor. Terry loved flowers, antiques, Cranes Beach, Bonnie Raitt, James Taylor and life.
Terry was predeceased by her parents, her brothers Eddie and Jimmy and her sister Mary Lou Gange, with whom she shared a special sisterly bond. Terry is survived by her only living sibling Denis Culverwell, her daughter Kelly (Shea) Fay and her husband Chad, her son Patrick Shea and his wife Mercedes. She is also survived by her five beautiful granddaughters Copley, Kennlee, Decklyn, Ellis and Thea, who were her entire world. She will be lovingly remembered by her aunt Judi Schindler; stepmother Linda Culverwell; nephews Ross Culverwell, Patrick Mickle, Brendan and Devin Culverwell; her niece RyleeMcKay Culverwell; her sister-in-law Darcy Culverwell; her extended Duquette family in Dalton MA and all the friends she met along the way who were like family to her.
Friends and family are invited to the visiting hours in the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington Street, Gloucester, MA on Monday, February 6th, 2023, from 4 to 7 p.m. A celebration of life will be hosted at The Elks at Bass Rocks, 101 Atlantic Rd, Gloucester, MA on Tuesday, February 7th from 11am-2pm. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend both events.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Terry's name to the Ellie Fund, which provides essential support services for breast cancer patients, including Terry.
