Shirley M. Stagnone

Shirley Marie Stagnone

Beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother

Shirley Marie (Bouchard) Stagnone, of Lowell, passed away peacefully in the presence of her children, February 24, 2021 at the age of 90. She was the beloved wife of Louis J. Stagnone, who predeceased her in June 2020 after 67 years of marriage. Shirley was a lovely and elegant, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who adored her husband and family. She was generous with her love, will be missed always and cherished in memory.

Shirley was born in Lowell, MA on September 23, 1930 the second child of Thomas and Ethel Bouchard. She graduated from Lowell High School in 1948 where she achieved the honor of being elected to the Girl Officers service group and her innate fashion sense was recognized when she was voted best dressed.

Following high school, Shirley attended St. Joseph School of Nursing in Lowell, where she earned her certification as a Registered Nurse. At that time, student nurses wore the Florence Nightingale uniform of starched apron and cap; were supervised carefully by the watchful eyes of nuns; and were not allowed to marry. Thus, when Shirleys high school sweetheart and life-long love, Lou, was deployed to Korea, they married in a small secret ceremony just two weeks before her graduation. She embarked upon her nursing career while Lou was overseas, continuing until the birth of their first child.

Shirley and Lou built a home in Tewksbury where she became a stay-at-home mother, busy raising five children, born within seven years of each other. Her children will always remember her laughter and her beautiful singing voice filling the air as she went about her household tasks. Her kids were her priority and her proudest moments were centered around their achievements. They are grateful for her constant interest and encouragement, her willingness to listen, the loving home she created and her deep concern for everyone.

As a book lover who married an enthusiastic athlete, above all else, Shirley will be remembered as being a good sport. She constantly organized the many details of the hikes, ski trips, beach days and excursions the family embarked upon, assuring everyone had the food, clothing and supplies needed to make it a success. Her efforts and participation in activities which were often outside of her own comfort zone resulted in a wealth of happy shared memories for her family.

Shirley loved people and was interested in everyones story. She embraced the large family she married into and her own expanding family with the addition of sons and daughters-in-law. Shirley returned to nursing once her children were grown, working for many years in the oncology department at St. Johns Hospital, in Lowell. She cherished the long-lasting friendships she formed with her close colleagues throughout her career.

Eventually, Shirley and Lou returned to their hometown of Lowell to live in retirement and became grandparents to seven grandchildren. Shirley was an enthusiastic fan intent on being equally present at her grandchildrens many sporting, school and religious events.

In addition to her loving husband Lou, Shirley was predeceased by her brother George Bouchard and her in-laws, Daniel Stagnone of Dracut, MA and his wife Patricia, James Stagnone of Albuquerque, NM and Joseph Stagnone of Plantation, FL. Shirley is survived by her five children, their spouses, her seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Immediate family includes Mary Lou and Paul McCarthy of Georgetown, Joseph and Susan Stagnone of Exeter, NH, Thomas Stagnone of Cranston, RI, Mark and Heather Stagnone of Litchfield, NH and Beth and Gordon Stockwood of Amesbury. Grandchildren include Brenna McCarthy and her husband Greg Sulser, Kelly McCarthy, Leah, Hayden and Sarah Stagnone, Gordon and Sam Stockwood and great-grandchildren Maeve and Callan Sulser. Shirley is also survived by her brother- in-law Frank Stagnone and his wife Tish of Chelmsford, and her sister-in-law Marjory of Plantation, FL.

Shirleys final months were spent living with her son Mark, his wife Heather and their family. We are so grateful for the loving support offered to her during that time.

A summer memorial is planned to celebrate Shirleys life along with that of her husband Lous. Please visit www.odonnellfuneralhome.com to send the family a message or a condolence. Throughout her life Shirley prayed to Saint Jude for her special intentions. Those wishing may make memorial donations in her honor to St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital: www.stjude.org/donate. Arrangements by ODONNELL FUNERAL HOME, LOWELL MA - (978) 458-8768.

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