Joan F. (Couture) Shaughnessy

Mrs. Joan F. (Couture) Shaughnessy of Chelmsford, formerly of Watertown and Waltham, died Wednesday, May 26, 2021 in the Sunny Acres Nursing Home in Chelmsford. She was 79.

Joan was born in Cambridge on June 22, 1941, a daughter of the late Albert and Catherine (Ryan) Couture. She grew up in Watertown and was a graduate of Watertown High School, Class of 1959 and later from Pierce Secretarial School. After her marriage, she moved to Waltham to raise her family. Artistic by nature she enjoyed painting, working with her hands, was a talented seamstress and had also taught ceramics classes out of a studio in her home. Most important to her was family and she always made it a priority to attend all her grandchildren's special events. She was also an animal lover and cherished the companionship of Puffy, Riley, Angel and Duchess.

Joan worked as the human resource manager at the Fernald School in Waltham for twenty eight years until her retirement in 2013.

She was the wife of the late Robert Oldro. She is survived by her children, Thomas L. Shaughnessy (Izumi Kamimura) of Scottsdale, Arizona, Maura J. Roberts of Nashua, New Hampshire, Lisa M. Shaughnessy of Littleton, and Keith S. Shaughnessy of Lynn; her grandchildren, Aimee Marchelletta (Sam), Brett Roberts, Matthew Roberts, Molly Maxine Willow and Lily Maycock; her sister, Jean Flaherty of Winthrop; her stepchildren, Mark Oldro, Robert Oldro, John Oldro, Debbie Sylvia, Michael Oldro, and Tammy Oldro; the father of her children, Thomas L. Shaughnessy, Sr. of Billerica; many nieces, nephews and their families and by extended relatives and friends including Raymond Roberts and Carly McClain.

The family would like to offer a heartfelt thank you for the dedicated care given to Joan over the last year under difficult circumstances by the wonderful staff at Sunny Acres Nursing Home.

Family and friends will honor and remember Joan's life by gathering for calling hours on Friday, June 4th, from 4-7 pm in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street, (Rte. 20), Waltham. Her Funeral Service will be held in the funeral home on Saturday, June 5th at 11 am. Burial will be private.

Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 309 Waverley Oaks Road, Waltham, Massachusetts 02452.