Virginia Lee Shea's Obituary
Virginia Lee Shea, a longtime resident of Gainesville, passed away peacefully on June 5, 2023 surrounded by her family. She was born on March 26, 1933 in Springfield, Massachusetts to Helen and Raymond Center.
Virginia was married to Jerome Shea for 41 years and had five children, Kevin, Maureen, Brian, Tim, and Christine (Olden). They also adopted their grandson Michael. The thing she enjoyed the most was spending time with her family at every opportunity. The joy and compassion she gave to her family and friends will be greatly missed.
She was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church and volunteered at Catholic Charities. She worked at the University of Florida in the Continuing Education Department for many years and before she retired, she worked in the Gainesville Parks and Recreation Department.
She is survived by her daughter Christine (Christopher) Olden; sons, Kevin (Tena), Brian (Cindy), and Tim (Tara); brother, Richard Center; sister, Judy Kelly; grandchildren, Cory Shea, Sarah Rose Shea, Michael Shea, Troy Shea, Hailey Potts, Savanah Olden, and Cameron Olden. She is preceded in death by her parents, Helen and Raymond Center; her husband, Jerome Shea, who died at the age of 71; her daughter, Maureen Shea; and her sister June Rice.
A funeral mass will be celebrated on Saturday, August 26, 2023 at 11:00 A. M., at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 500 N. E. 16th Avenue, Gainesville, FL, with Fr. Lawrence Peck, celebrant. Interment will follow in Countryside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Catholic Charities, https://catholiccharitiesgainesville.ejoinme.org/MyPages/DonationPage
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