Nancy O'Donnell

Nancy Shea O’Donnell passed away peacefully on March 18, 2024 at the age of 89 in Naples, FL. Daughter of the late James J. Shea Sr. and Henrietta Delaney Shea, Nancy was born in Springfield, MA on June 10, 1934. She was predeceased by her husband John “Jake” O’Donnell, brother James J. Shea Jr., and sister Barbara Shea Brennan. Nancy was a graduate of Sacred Heart High School in Springfield, MA and Marymount College in Tarrytown, NY. Upon graduation, she worked in the Human Resource Department of the Milton Bradley Company. She married Jake, her high school sweetheart, on September 14, 1957. They enjoyed 63 wonderful years together. Shortly after her marriage, they moved to Fort Bliss, in El Paso TX, where she taught third grade while Jake was serving in the Army. Her greatest joy was raising her six children in Springfield and Longmeadow, MA. She was active and athletic, playing tennis at the Field Club, skiing on Mt. Tom, playing bridge with her friends and golfing with Jake and her children. She enjoyed traveling with her family for milestone birthday vacations, especially to her favorite island of Bermuda. Nancy was smart, and an eager adopter of technology. She loved her iPhone, Apple Watch, online banking and Zelle-ing her grandchildren for their birthdays. Nancy loved spending summers on Cape Cod, at her West Dennis home appropriately named “Nancy’s Nest”. She enjoyed her daily 4 mile beach walks with friends and family, at a pace that most found difficult to keep up with. She was always first to touch “the Pole” at the end of West Dennis Beach. Nancy’s Nest was the family hub, where she hosted holidays, lobster dinners, hours of board games and family Pitch. Nancy’s Nest was home not only to her children, but also to her nieces and nephews (the Brennans) and countless friends of her children. She was a Mother to many in her flock. July 4th was her favorite holiday and she loved celebrating it with her children, grandchildren, the Brennans and many close friends. For the last 35 years, Nancy spent her winters in Naples, FL. She loved her Naples community of friends and was active in golf and bridge. She was also an avid reader, always looking for her next book. The Marbella became her home the last several years and she cherished the friendships she made there. The O’Donnell family would like to thank The Marbella for creating such a warm and welcoming environment for our Mom, and The Cove for the wonderful care they recently gave her. Nancy is survived by her daughter Linda Caligari and her husband Jeff Caligari of Richmond, MA, her daughter Nancy O’Donnell and her husband Joe Peplowski of Winchester, MA, her son James “Jay” O’Donnell and his wife Nadia O’Donnell of La Jolla, CA, her son Richard “Rick” O’Donnell and his wife Margaret O’Donnell of Naples, FL, her daughter Susan O’Donnell of Newton, MA, and her daughter Diane O’Donnell and her husband Jim Massman of Winchester, MA. Nancy was blessed with 11 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren, Kaitlyn Caligari Laverdiere and her husband Ryan, their 2 children Isabelle and Jackson; Caroline, Maria, and Shea Caligari; Maggie and Libby Peplowski, Jake Peplowski and his wife Sarah; Christine and Michael O’Donnell and Elizabeth and Patrick Massman. Nancy was devoted to her Catholic faith. She was generous and kind to all she came in contact with. Her love for family and friends knew no bounds. She was the family Matriarch and will live in our hearts forever. A Celebration of Life will be held in Naples FL, and a second in Longmeadow, MA in June to coincide with her 90th birthday. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, attention Patrick’s Posse Xtreme Hike, 220 N. Main Street #104, Natick, MA 01760. Donations may also be made via this online link: https://passion.cff.org/inmemoryofnancysheaodonnell