Obituary of Rosemary Shea

Rosemary "Rosie" Shea (nee Quigley) Age 84. Passed away peacefully Sunday, May 22, 2016 at Presence Saint Joseph Medical Center with her family by her side. Born in Moline, IL on April 11, 1932 to the late Patrick and Lucienna Quigley and raised in Davenport, IA. She attended Sacred Heart School and was part of the ICA graduating class of 1950. Rosie worked at the College of St. Francis and spent a great deal of time volunteering at Daybreak Shelter. She was also a longtime active member of St. Patrick's Parish in Joliet. One of her fondest childhood memories was spending time with her sister, Bev on their grandparent's farm. However, Rosie's greatest life achievement was her family. She was a devoted wife to Gene, with whom she enjoyed 60 wonderful years of marriage. Rosie was a dedicated mother to her eight children; how she pulled off family vacations for eight kids with a station wagon and a car top carrier is still a wonder to her kids today. She was inspired more by Erma Bombeck than Martha Stewart. To top it off, she was the most loving grandmother to her 26 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Spending time with her family and friends brought Rosie ultimate joy. One of her favorite traditions was the 22 summers she spent in Union Pier, Michigan on the lake with ALL her family (always looking for that green flash). She also enjoyed attending countless family sporting events and activities for all of her children and grandchildren. Some of her favorite times were spent at Braidwood Recreational Club. Rosie will be remembered for the good times she had, her fun-loving nature, and the ever-present smile on her face. She had a way of bringing people together; a stranger was never a stranger for long in her presence. Survived by her loving husband of 60 years, Gene Shea; eight children, Debbie (Mike) Wittmann, Mike (Roxanne) Shea, Teresa (Brent) Ostoich, Dave (Rita) Shea, Jeff Shea (Sullivan Hester), Kathy (Bill) Duffy, John (Amy) Shea and Karen (Mike) Sheppard; 26 grandchildren, Michael, Colleen, and Kathleen Wittmann; Megan, Kelly, and Ryan (Sofia Shea-Kvist) Shea; Kevin, Nicholas, Julia, Connor, and Madeline Ostoich; Rob (Heather) Hamilton; Christina (Aaron) Manheimer; Collin and Caitlin Shea; Reilly and Beckett Shea; Jack, Shea, Patrick, and Kate Duffy; Colleen and Ella Shea; Seamus, Casey, and Kaleigh Sheppard; four great-grandchildren, Ben, Ellia, and Brooklyn Hamilton; and Noah Manheimer; sister, Beverly Quigley; and sisters-in-law, Roseann and Pat Shea; Preceded in death by her parents; and brother-in-law, Jim Shea. The family would like to express sincere gratitude to the doctors, nurses and staff of the Neuro Intensive Care Unit at Presence St. Joseph Medical Center for their outstanding care and also her personal physicians. Donations to the Presence Saint Joseph Medical Center, Neuro Intensive Care Unit, 333 N. Madison Street Joliet, IL 60435 would be much appreciated. Memorial Services for Rosie Shea will be held Thursday, May 26, 2016 at 8:15 a.m. from the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black at Essington Rds., Joliet to the Church of St. Jude for 9:00 a.m. Memorial Mass. As it was Rosie's wish, Cremation Rites have been accorded. Inurnment Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery. Memorial Gathering Wednesday, 3-8 p.m. at the funeral home. For more information: (815) 741-5500.