Alice Shea, 85

ADAMS, Mass. —  Alice Antoinette Poirier Shea, 85, of Adams, MA died peacefully at her home, surrounded by loved ones, on Tuesday, March 14, 2023.

Alice was born in Adams on April 8, 1937, daughter of Archie A. Poirier and Florence (Molleur) Poirier. She graduated from The MacDuffie School in Springfield, MA and earned an associate's degree in commercial art from Lasell College in Newton, MA.

On February 3, 1958, Alice married Richard Vincent Shea. They were married for 53 years, up until the time of Richard’s death, on November 11, 2011. Alice is survived by her son, Daniel Christopher Shea of Adams, her daughters Jane Shea Gasper and Mary Shea Meli, both of Monument Beach, MA, and five grandchildren: Olivia, Mary, Jack, Claire, and George. She is also survived by her sister Claire Rowley of Adams, and by 19 nieces and nephews and an abundance of grand nieces and nephews.

Alice was predeceased by her sister Virginia Poirier Harvey, her brother Henry Poirier, and her nephew Craig Harvey.

Alice was a devoted wife, mother, aunt, and friend. She lived her life with passion – whether she was pursuing her love of knitting, quilting, and needlepoint, and producing countless precious gifts for her children, nieces, nephews, and friends. Whether she was riding on the back of Richard’s motorcycle – around town, up Mount Greylock, to view the foliage in Vermont, or across the country. Whether she was applying her gift for esthetics, cooking, and baking to create an oasis of welcome for all who visited her home, or whether she was working to create the most magical of Christmases for her children and grandchildren. Whether she was lying on the beach, soaking up the sun, drinking ice coffee, and reading a good book at Mashnee Village on Cape Cod. And whether she was doting on her beloved canine companions, most recently, Stella.

Rarely was Alice ever seen wearing a piece of clothing that wasn’t a shade of blue. She was a very striking looking woman – in her denim blue clothes, silver bracelets, navy blue clogs, and her long silver hair tied back in her signature style.

She was the cool Auntie and a confidante to her nieces and nephews, the cool mom to her children’s friends, a mentor to many who were eager to learn how to create their own beautiful handiwork from the master that she was, and a great source of comfort, support, and understanding to friends and family along the way who were in need and sought her wisdom.

Alice was extraordinarily generous and thoughtful, and it brought her great joy to present her handmade creations to those she loved the most. She took great pleasure in knowing that her gifts would be treasured and handed down to future generations.

FUNERAL NOTICE: Calling hours for Alice Shea will be Sunday March 19, 2023 from 3-5 PM at Trottier-Pringle Funeral Home, 6 Summer St. Adams, MA. Reception to follow at the The Manor House in Adams. Memorial donations may be made to HospiceCare in the Berkshires at hcib.org. To add to the Book of Memories, please visit www.flynndagnolifuneralhomes.com.