Northborough – Grace M. Shelley, a resident of Ware, a longtime resident of Northborough and Waltham, passed away peacefully at the Bear Mountain Healthcare Center in W. Springfield on Thursday, June 1, 2023. She was 94 years old. Grace was preceded in death in 2015 by her husband of 64 years, John T. Shelley, Sr.
Born and raised in Waltham, Grace was one of four children to William F. and Mary (McCue) Nethercote. She graduated in 1945 from Waltham H.S. and was employed as an administrative secretary to the Superintendent of Waltham Public Schools for most of her career. She also worked as an administrative assistant at Bentley University for several years prior to her retirement in 1985.
Grace was a member of St. Bernadette Parish in Northborough and enjoyed camping with her family. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and they in turn will miss her wonderful sense of humor and quick wit.
Surviving Grace are her sons, John T. Shelley, Jr and Christopher P. Shelley; five grandchildren Megan Shelley, Kristen Dodsen, Bobby Sanchez, Bridget Shelley and Nicholas Shelley; six great-grandchildren, Kelsie, Carson and Bently Shelley, Michael and Ava Dodson and Skylar Sanchez; many nieces and nephews. Grace was preceded in death by a daughter Maureen Sanchez in 2005 and by her three siblings, William, Richard and Mary Nethercote.
Calling hours are scheduled between 5-7PM on Tuesday, June 6, at Hays Funeral Home, 56 Main Street, Northborough. A funeral will be held at 10AM on Wednesday, June 7, at St Rose of Lima Parish, 244 W. Main Street, Northborough. Grace will be laid to rest beside her husband John in Howard Street Cemetery, Northborough.
Grace’s family suggest any memorial contributions be directed to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 [stjude.org]
To leave a condolence online please visit www.HaysFuneralHome.com.
