Shirley E. Pidgeon

Waltham – Mrs. Shirley E. (McGrath) Pidgeon, of Waltham, died peacefully Saturday, January 30, 2021 at her home surrounded by her family. She was 92.

Shirley was born in Newton on July 20, 1928, daughter of the late James and Elthea (DeCoste) McGrath and was a lifelong Waltham resident. She was the 1946 class President and a graduate of Saint Mary's Girls High School. On Valentine's Day, 1953 Shirley married Dorchester native Leo D. Pidgeon, and they remained a loving couple for 41 years.

Shirley was a devoted mother of her five children and a committed Christian attending Our Lady's Church. She was not one to give in to the frailties of ageing, as she loved to line-dance and participated in water aerobics with her friends. Shirley was a dependable volunteer at Waltham's 'Meals on Wheels' program, run through the Waltham Stanley Senior Center, and also gave her time and resources for many years to the Sacred Heart Church Food Pantry.

The wife of the late Leo D. Pidgeon, she leaves her children, Kathleen L. O'Donnell (Chris) of Pocasset, Daniel L. Pidgeon (Debra) of Mansfield, Richard F. Pidgeon (Cheryll) of Bourne, David J. Pidgeon (Vicki) of San Ramon, California and Timothy J. Pidgeon (Della) of Cumming, Georgia, fourteen grandchildren, seventeen great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and their families. Shirley was also the sister of the late Pauline Kelley. Her passion was her family: She loved to live, and lived to love her family.

Funeral services will be private.

Those who would like to view Shirley's Funeral Mass may join via this link: https://my.gather.app/remember/shirley-pidgeon on Friday, February 5th at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Catholic TV, P.O. Box 9196, 34 Chestnut Street, Watertown, MA 02471 www.catholictv.org or to Saint Jude Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 www.stjude.org
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Tuesday, December 22, 2020 – a note from the funeral home pursuant to Governor Baker's recent order:

During times of uncertainty and crisis one might wonder what to do at the loss of a loved one or how to show support to a friend given the limitations that the pandemic continues to present.

Telephone your friend to offer words of love, support and a verbal hug, drop something delicious by the house, leave a condolence on the funeral home website, make a donation to their favored charity, send a card or flowers or have a Mass said, remain in touch, and above all else . . . say prayers for the deceased and their family and the world during this difficult and unprecedented time.

These simple gifts of sympathy and charity are more valuable than you will ever know.

When public wakes are held capacity limits mean that your visit to the venue where they are held should be brief to allow other guests time to say hello to the family. Only members of the immediate family remain present throughout.

It goes without saying that people who have lost someone are especially sensitive and understanding to the concerns that some of their own family members and friends may have about visiting any public places right now. If this does not feel like the right time for you to venture out please don't.

Space limitations also mean that funeral services inside the funeral home and in many places of worship will also be private. Most services, at the family's request, will also be livestreamed and recorded for future viewing. The link to access the channel is found at the bottom of the obituary notice online.

Cemetery services are included in the current outdoor gathering limit of twenty-five people.

During any events, public or private, common sense precautions prevail. That includes masks covering your nose and mouth, staying with your household group throughout the services and keeping a sensible distance. Thank you . . . again . . . for your patience and understanding.