Frances J. Shugrue

Frances J. (Mullins) Shugrue, 97, of Worcester, passed away on Tuesday, October 26, 2021, at Knollwood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, surrounded by her loving family.  She was predeceased in 1996, by her husband of fifty-four years, Retired Worcester Police Officer Francis P. Shugrue.

Frances is survived by two sons, Paul C. Shugrue of Worcester and William J. “Billy” Shugrue of Oxford; two daughters, Bonnie H. Lemoine of Auburn and Nancy M. Lavoie and her husband Marcel A. of Sutton; eleven grandchildren, Cheryl, Michael, Lisa, Lynn, Jonathan, Buffy, Chris, Jennifer, Jeremy, Joey, and Jill; twenty-five great grandchildren, Nicholas, Ryan, Jimmy, Elise, Sabrina, Brendon, Nikita, Alexander, Max, Lilly, Garrett, Ross, Evan, Maura, Nicholas, Eva, Josie, Ty, Violette, Aidan, Keely, Lilly, Finley, Rose, and Norah; two great-great grandchildren, Jay and Greyson; many nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by three siblings, Alfred J. Mullins, Alice D. Remillard, and Myrtle Adams, and by her son in law, Ronald B. Lemoine.  Frances was born in Worcester, daughter of the late, Michael and Elizabeth (Coyle) Mullins, and has lived in the city all her life.

Frances spent most of her career caring for others, beginning as a home health aide, later working with Catholic Charities and becoming the Director of Marillac Manor.  She was an advocate for those in need and lived out her Catholic Faith by dispensing care and compassion to others.

She was a member of Saint Bernard’s Church of Our Lady of Providence Parish, The Guild of Our Lady of Providence, and the House of Affirmation Reception Committee.  She was a member of the Mass Council of H-HHA Services, Chairperson of the Auxiliary Girl’s State Committee, The Ladies Auxiliary of both the Grafton Hill and Greendale American Legion Posts, and the Worcester Police Wives Association. 

Frances enjoyed attending Mass daily and then gathering with neighbors and friends for coffee and chit chat at Riley’s on Lincoln.  She loved to cook, do home decorating, care for her vast collection of house plants, reading, and flower arranging.  But, above all else, her family brought her the greatest joy.

Her family would like to thank all the wonderful people at Knollwood, who were more like “angels”.  The care and compassion shown by every single person at the facility, including management, admins, nurses, aides, social workers, maintenance, and all the support staff, was greatly appreciated and will be remembered for many years.  A thank you is also sent to the caregivers at JHC Hospice, for their kindness.

Calling Hours for Frances will be on Sunday, October 31, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. in MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation Street, Worcester.

Her Funeral will be on Monday, November 1, departing the funeral home at 10:35 a.m. in procession to an 11 a.m. Mass at Saint Bernard’s Church of Our Lady of Providence Parish, 228 Lincoln Street, Worcester.  Interment will follow in Saint John’s Cemetery, Worcester.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Saint Bernard’s Church Restoration Fund, 236 Lincoln Street, Worcester, MA 01605 or to the Appreciation Fund at Knollwood Nursing and Rehabilitation, 87 Briarwood Circle, Worcester, MA 01606.