July 26, 1938 – Nov. 17, 2024
Grafton – Shirley (Stewart) Cragan, 86, passed away peacefully at home November 17, 2024 with her adoring family at her side.
She leaves her husband of 65 years, Donald Cragan, her children Donald Cragan and his wife Marybeth and Susan Bianculli and her husband John, her grandchildren Alyssa Murphy and her husband Blake, Matt Bianculli, Cori Gould and her husband Jarred, Samantha Cragan and Zachary Cragan, her great-grandchildren Liam and Emma, her sisters Joan Andrews and Deborah Dakin and several nieces and nephews. Her sister Barbara Mitchell predeceased her.
Shirley was born in Providence, RI, daughter of the late Genevieve (Allen) and Gilbert Stewart. Her roots were in Warwick, RI where she spent her younger days before she moved to Grafton, MA with her husband Don where they raised their family. She worked as a Certified Food Service Director at the Grafton Public Schools for 35 years.
Shirley’s family was always her center, she adored her grandchildren who will dearly miss their beloved “Gram”, and she loved time spending with them especially during the holidays. She and Don traveled together on trips to Las Vegas, on several cruises or to shows around New England as well as family vacations to Disney, Universal, Ft. Lauderdale, and Europe. Closer to home she was a loyal Boston sports fan and also enjoyed a round of golf on the TV on a Sunday afternoon. She was a steady hand with a paint brush and you were hard pressed to find a weed on any walkway near her house. Shirley was always up for a challenge, was fiercely competitive and was always at the center of laughter at the table with her family whenever they were together. Most of all, she was proud of her family.
All are welcome to gather with Shirley’s family and friends Thursday November 21st from 4-7pm at Roney Funeral Home 152 Worcester St. N. Grafton, MA 01536. Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday November 22nd at 11am at St. Mary’s Church in North Grafton. All attending the Funeral Mass are asked to go directly to the church. Burial will follow at Pine Grove Cemetery in North Grafton.
Please honor Shirley with a donation to the charity of your choice. A Book of Memories to share a special message with her family is available online at www.RoneyFuneralHome.com.
