Shirley A. (Healey) Houghton

WARE – Shirley A. Houghton, 85, passed away quietly in home with her family by her side on Oct. 6, 2020.

Shirley was born on Nov. 2, 1934 in Ware to her parents Eva (Girard) Healey and Andrew Healey.

She worked as a teacher’s aide for many years in the Ware School District and retired in 1998. She was a devout Catholic.

Shirley was loved by all the local children and was well-known in her neighborhood for her peanut butter sandwiches, among other recipes.  While her favorite food was ribeye steak and peas, Shirley also enjoyed sweets. Always generous and caring, Shirley wanted to make sure those she loved were taken care of.  She could be found on her porch with the sun on her back.

Shirley was preceded by her husband of 54 years, John A. Houghton Sr., her sons John A. Houghton Jr. and James (Jimmy) A. Houghton, her granddaughter Megan A. Juda and six siblings.

She leaves behind her sister, Dottie Saletnick of Ware, her daughter, Shelly Arsenault and her husband Ken of Ware, her grandchildren, Jason Houghton of Ludlow, Daniel “Danny” Juda of Ware, Angie Loughery of Ludlow, Holly Leas and her husband William of Ware, Leanne Roberts and her husband William of Ware, Joseph Houghton of Ware and Brandi Estridge of Gilbertville and her great-grandchildren, Brianna Houghton of Jackson, FL, Jalen Loughery of Ludlow, Lily Juda of Ware, Ethan, Ally and Devin Roberts of Ware, Rylee and Chase Estridge of Gilbertville, Aleena Leas of Ware and Cassidy Houghton of Ludlow.  She also leaves her sister-in-law Mary Healey of Ware, her brother-in-law David Shepard Sr. of Warren and many nieces and nephews.

She also leaves her friends and caregivers Sharon Estridge, of Gilbertville and Sandra Hamel, of Ware.  Among many friends, neighbors and loved ones, Shirley leaves her close friend of over 40 years, Jackie Biggs.  A special thank you to the Brookhaven Hospice Team who were caring and special to Shirley.

A Funeral Mass for Shirley will be held on Monday, Oct. 12, 2020 at 10 a.m. in the All Saints Church, 17 North Street in Ware.  Calling Hours will be held on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020 from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Charbonneau Funeral Home, 30 Pleasant Street in Ware.  In accordance with current Massachusetts COVID regulations, mask must be worn and social distancing guidelines must be followed while in the funeral home and the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Shirley’s name to the Community Hospice of America, at 114 Turnpike Road, Suite 206, Westborough, MA 01581.

An online guest book is available at charbonneaufh.com.

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