Ruth Arlene Shea

PORTLAND - Ruth Arlene Shea, 83, formerly of North Street, died on August 1, 2011 at Coastal Manor in Yarmouth. She was born in Vanceboro, Maine, a daughter of Alfred Joseph and Christine A. (nee Pine) LaCrosse. She attended Bangor High School. Ruth moved a number of times due to the Navy career of her husband, William Andrew Shea, Sr. She worked for six years as an instrument technician at Maine Medical Center. She was a former communicant of St. Dominic's Church. She was a member of the Legion of Mary in Portland and in Rhode Island. She worked in the Model Cities Program in the 1960's. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Paul Malia Post. Ruth especially enjoyed being with family and friends as well as cooking. Ruth was predeceased by her husband William A. Shea, Sr. in 2003, two daughters, Joanne Marsh Shea in 1996 and Marion Rose Shea in 2009; and a sister, Pearl A. Cohen. She is survived by three daughters, Patricia Rodney and her husband, George of Windham; Marcie Jacob and her husband , Dean of Colorado; and Carol Lynn Dodd and her husband, John of Colorado.; six sons, William Shea, Jr. of South Portland; Daniel C. Shea of Sebago; Stephen M. Shea and his wife, Carmen Antonieta Shea of Portland; John A. Shea and his wife, Wilma of Portland; Michael F. Shea and his wife, Theresa of Saco; and James G. Shea and his companion Tracy of North Yarmouth; and a sister, Joanne Catir of Jacksonville, Florida; 17 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, August 4, from 4-7 p.m. at the Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland, Maine. Prayers will be said on Friday, at 9:15 a.m. at the Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be said at 10:00 a.m. at St. Patrick's Church, 1342 Congress Street, Portland. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, South Portland. For those desiring, memorial donations may be made in Ruth's name to: The American Heart Association, 51 US Route 1, Suite M, Scarborough, ME 04074 or to The Monastery of the Precious Blood, 166 State Street, Portland, ME 04101. Online Condolences for Ruth Shea